WINNIPEG — The Manitoba authorities is planning to open a commerce workplace in Washington, D.C., within the new yr to cope with threatened United States tariffs and promote funding alternatives in provincial sectors reminiscent of mining and aerospace.
WINNIPEG — The Manitoba authorities is planning to open a commerce workplace in Washington, D.C., within the new yr to cope with threatened United States tariffs and promote funding alternatives in provincial sectors reminiscent of mining and aerospace.
The transfer would carry Manitoba in step with Ontario, Alberta and another provinces which have full-time commerce representatives within the U.S. capital.
Premier Wab Kinew stated Tuesday he noticed the worth of commerce workplaces on a visit to Washington earlier this yr with enterprise leaders.
” what they requested us? ‘Manitoba, the place have you ever been the previous few years?'” Kinew stated in his annual state of the province speech to the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce.
The federal government has not but picked an individual to steer the workplace, and so they could not essentially be a Manitoban, Kinew stated.
Kinew instructed the enterprise crowd he takes significantly the specter of widespread tariffs on Canadian items from president-elect Donald Trump. The premier stated the Manitoba commerce workplace would want somebody who can speak to Republicans.
“We want people who’re, dare I say it, a little bit Trumpy,” he stated, transferring his palms backwards and forwards slowly, accordion-style, as Trump has been identified to do. The gesture was greeted with laughter from the viewers.
Loren Remillard, president of the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce, stated enterprise leaders seen on the latest journey to Washington that provinces with a bodily presence within the metropolis have a bonus.
“You’ll be able to’t anticipate your mates and allies to at all times know your place, perceive and be receptive, should you’re not there bodily,” Remillard stated.
Kinew additionally stated Manitoba would supply monetary incentives and a neater regulatory regime — particulars are to be decided — so as to appeal to U.S. funding in essential mineral improvement and different initiatives.
“For those who put money into standing up new mines in Manitoba, we will design a provincial financial improvement technique to make sure that we’ve got the suitable incentives on the monetary aspect, but in addition … guaranteeing that our regulatory regime is one that may transfer on the pace of enterprise.”
When pressed for particulars by reporters, Kinew stated tax cuts are one chance, as is a deal with selling Manitoba’s low hydroelectricity charges.
“That is a superb monetary incentive that we are able to placed on the desk.”
The commerce workplace was being thought of earlier than Trump was elected, Kinew added. It was advisable by the federal government’s enterprise advisory council, which was created final yr.
Kinew additionally appointed former Manitoba premier and Canadian ambassador to the U.S. Gary Doer as a commerce adviser shortly after profitable final yr’s provincial election.
This report by The Canadian Press was first printed Dec. 3, 2024.
Steve Lambert, The Canadian Press
