Ontario Premier Doug Ford is making his way to Texas next week, bringing along his pro-trade and anti-tariff messages.
Ford will be visiting Houston, Dallas, and Austin during his multi-day trip, which was initially reported by The .
The premier aims to emphasize the significance of Canada-U. S. trade with American business leaders and state politicians while arguing that President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Canada do more harm than good.
“President Trump’s tariffs on Canada are a tax on the U. S., costing the economy and families on both sides of the border billions. We are stronger when we work together, and our government is focused on driving economic growth for both our countries,” a statement from Ford’s office reads.
The tariffs affecting steel and automobile industries are particularly impacting Ontario.
Canada’s attempts to persuade Trump to remove some sector-specific tariffs were stalled last October after Ford’s government aired a television ad in the United States that included sound from an anti-tariff speech by former president Ronald Reagan.
Negotiations between representatives of both countries had been progressing until Trump halted talks, calling out the ad as “fake.”
Ford took down the ad but has consistently defended its airing, referring to it as “the best ad that’s ever been run.”
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On Thursday, Ontario Premier Doug Ford will meet with Governor Greg Abbott, a Republican ally of Trump. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
The tariffs remain in effect as new discussions begin regarding renegotiating the Canada-U. S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA).
Earlier this month, Canada’s Trade Minister Dominic Le Blanc was in Washington, D. C., meeting with U. S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.
While the federal government takes charge of CUSMA negotiations, Ford continues his efforts to strengthen trade relationships between Ontario and U. S. states.
<p His last visit south was in December when he met New York Governor Kathy Hochul to sign an agreement focused on cooperation in nuclear energy.
During his time in Texas, he plans to connect with representatives from companies such as WM (formerly Waste Management), Westlake Corporation, Waste Connections, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries America Inc., Compass Datacenters, Toyota, Hewlett Packard and Mc Kesson-one of Texas’ major healthcare firms.
This Thursday, Ford will also sit down with Texas Governor Greg Abbott who has Trump’s endorsement for another term this fall. This will be their first meeting.
“As he has for the last year, in the lead-up to the renegotiation of CUSMA, Premier Ford continues to meet directly with lawmakers-both Republican and Democrat-at national and state levels to build relationships and share his vision for Fortress Am-Can,” said a statement from Ford’s office.</pp
‘Fortress Am-Can’ represents Ford’s vision for enhancing economic cooperation and security partnerships between Canada and the U. S.</pp
The premier won’t be alone among Ontario politicians traveling stateside next week; Energy and Mining Minister Stephen Lecce will be in Washington on Monday with a delegation from the Ontario Chamber of Commerce aimed at engaging policymakers and industry groups about preserving CUSMA while eliminating Trump’s tariffs.
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