QUEENS PARK – The United States and Mexico have made significant progress in discussions to revise key portions of the 24-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement, Minister Wilson made the following statement:
“With hundreds of thousands of jobs at stake, it is imperative that our country has a voice at the table and that a deal on NAFTA is reached. The threat of auto tariffs on Canadian manufactured cars is extremely concerning to Ontario as 1 in 5 Ontario jobs depend on Canada-U.S. trade and investment. I have asked Minister Freeland for a briefing as soon as possible, to ensure Ontario’s automotive, steel and agriculture industries and their workers are top of mind in these discussions.
The U.S. and Canada share a unique economic relationship, with both sides of the border benefitting greatly from our economic connection. Nearly 9 million American jobs depend on Canada-U.S. trade and investment, and approximately 400,000 people and 2 billion dollars in trade travel across the U.S. and Canadian border every day.
Ontario is doing its part to get the deal done. Last month I traveled to Washington, D.C., to advocate for the jobs that depend on a strong Canada-U.S. trading relationship. Premier Doug Ford has been calling U.S. Governors to discuss the implications of tariffs on both sides of the border and will continue to reach out to U.S. counterparts. Just last week, the Premier met with the U.S. Ambassador to Canada, where he expressed our government’s steadfast support for Ontario workers throughout these negotiations.
Our government will continue to vigorously defend and advance Ontario’s economic interests at home and abroad. We are working hard to ensure workers in the automotive, steel and agriculture industries are represented during this crucial time. We are willing to work with anyone who is committed to protecting Ontario workers, Ontario industries and making sure a deal on NAFTA is reached.”
