Ontario’s commerce minister says the provincial authorities plans to proceed its ‘attraction offensive’ with American lawmakers
A day after People voted to elect Donald Trump as president for a second time, Canadian politicians mentioned they’re ready to take care of his doubtlessly protectionist administration.
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland advised Hill reporters yesterday {that a} second Trump presidency is one thing the feds have been getting ready for, helped by the actual fact the Liberals have an “enduring relationship” together with his workforce from the primary time period.
That features Trump’s ex-U.S. commerce consultant Robert Lighthizer, who’s reportedly set to be given one other senior function in his internal circle.
“I did speak with ambassador Lighthizer a few times (on Tuesday) and have stayed in touch with him,” Freeland mentioned, revealing that the pair additionally spoke over the summer season concerning the function of China — the place there’s “strong” settlement.
The feds rolled out tariffs concentrating on electrical autos from China final month, following within the footsteps of the U.S.
To reporters at Ontario’s legislature on Wednesday, Premier Doug Ford mentioned he’d spoken late the evening earlier than with Freeland concerning the U.S. presidential election and that it will take “a powerful Workforce Canada, Workforce Ontario strategy” to work with Trump in his second time period.
“I am very assured we’ll have a really rewarding relationship with the brand new administration,” Ford mentioned.
Requested what he believes Trump’s second presidency will imply for Ontario, Ford mentioned, “We handled him for a few years when he was in workplace (and) he is aware of that we’re a vital buying and selling companion.”
“(Trump) is aware of that we are the … No. 1 buying and selling companion of 17 states and quantity two to 11 different states,” the premier added. “I imagine in ‘Purchase Can-Am,’ not ‘Purchase Canada,’ not ‘Purchase America,’ however ‘Purchase Can-Am’ — we’re stronger collectively.”
The U.S. is Canada’s important buying and selling companion. Final yr, greater than three-quarters of Canada’s exports have been to the U.S., which over half of all imports have been from too — which Ontario’s share of was important.
In his first presidential time period, Trump prompted renegotiations of the commerce settlement between america, Canada, and Mexico. The nations in the end settled the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Settlement (CUSMA), to switch the North American Free Commerce Settlement (NAFTA). Adjustments within the new settlement included elevated thresholds for auto producers to satisfy when it comes to the elements of their autos produced in North America.
Auto manufacturing is essential to Ontario’s financial system. It’s also considerably built-in with the identical sector within the U.S. and Mexico, as main car makers generally produce elements of their automobiles in two, or all three, of the nations within the continent.
Within the lead-up to Tuesday’s election, Trump promised to place tariffs on all imports into the U.S., together with steeper ones on Mexican-made automobiles and different merchandise he believes undercut American manufacturing. Throughout his first presidential time period, Trump imposed tariffs on choose imports from Canada, together with metal and aluminum.
Over the previous couple of years, the governments of Ontario and Canada have, mixed, promised greater than $40 billion to main automakers to assist their operations within the province, together with largely to subsidize new vegetation that make electrical autos, batteries, or EV elements. Governments in Canada have been pressured to up their provide to a number of automakers to compete with U.S. incentives created below President Joe Biden’s administration.
On Wednesday, Ford expressed that he is unworried concerning the potential of Trump-driven insurance policies — together with tariffs — harming Ontario’s auto-manufacturing sector and wider financial system. “The market will dictate. … We’ve got an amazing quantity of investments within the EV sector,” he mentioned. “However we (additionally) have the crucial minerals that the U.S. wants — the remainder of the world wants. Not just for EVs however for the U.S. army as effectively.”
“So we’ll proceed specializing in what’s greatest for Ontario. That’s my No. 1 promise, is ensuring we defend Ontario, and defend Canada as a complete,” Ford added.
Vic Fedeli, Ontario’s financial improvement, job creation and commerce minister, plans to go to Washington, D.C. subsequent month, after which once more in January, the place he mentioned he’ll proceed “a attraction offensive to remind (American lawmakers) that we want one another to ensure that each economies to develop.”
In the meantime, federal NDP Chief Jagmeet Singh urged Ottawa to “fight back” in opposition to tariff plans, whereas CPC Chief Pierre Poilievre griped that the U.S. has “already taken” away hundreds of thousands in investments from Canada.
Ontario Official Opposition and NDP Chief Marit Stiles, in the meantime, mentioned on Wednesday that the province “ought to be very involved” concerning the incoming U.S. administration’s potential to disrupt Canada’s EV sector “as a result of these are essential union jobs — good jobs — (and) nice alternatives for Ontario.”
Liberal MPP and parliamentary chief John Fraser mentioned Ontario wants to keep up its “robust buying and selling relationship with our neighbour south of the border” to assist the province’s financial system and, in flip, its health-care and training methods.
Inexperienced Get together Chief Mike Schreiner mentioned he is “deeply involved” concerning the potential for U.S. tariffs and “what it means for Ontario firms and what it means for the worldwide financial system.”
“I believe we’ll want a Workforce Ontario — Workforce Canada — strategy, and defend our pursuits, particularly on the subject of commerce,” Schreiner mentioned.
—With information from Jack Hauen
