Canadian prime ministers say they want to meet with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau “as soon as possible” to discuss Canada-U.S. relations.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford says in a letter to Trudeau that he will meet with premiers to discuss how Ottawa intends to approach its relationship with Washington now that President Donald Trump has returned to the White House. He said he wanted to.
“It is important that we act now to work together to welcome the next U.S. administration and seize this opportunity to grow and strengthen our historic partnership with the United States,” the letter said.
The prime ministers also said they want to know Ottawa’s plans for a future review of the trilateral continental trade agreement, known as the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA).
“How do you propose to include and engage with the Prime Minister as we enter into a review of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement, including who in the Cabinet will lead the government? I would like clarification,” it reads.
Ford has been outspoken in recent weeks, particularly about trade with the United States and Mexico.
Ontario’s premier accused Mexico of acting as a “back door for Chinese cars, auto parts and other products” to enter the North American market.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford is pushing for a new bilateral trade agreement with only the United States, and says all 13 premiers are in favor of it. Ford told CBC News in an exclusive interview Thursday that he hopes to pass a new agreement immediately.
President Ford said he hopes Canada will move forward with bilateral trade agreements with the United States and Mexico in time for the 2026 CUSMA review.
“They’ve had the opportunity to address these concerns for years and they don’t want to do it,” Ford said of Mexico at a Thursday news conference.
“They’ve shown their cards, so we’re going to have a bilateral trade deal with them and a separate trade deal with the United States.”
After a meeting of state and territory premiers last week, Ford said all premiers were in agreement that they wanted the federal government to negotiate a bilateral trade agreement with the United States.
But Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey told reporters in Ottawa that what was agreed was a contingency plan.
“The concept was that if the old agreement failed, we would be interested in supporting two separate bilateral agreements,” he said.
A spokesperson for the prime minister’s office acknowledged receipt of Ford’s letter in an email Monday, saying the federal government “works with the provinces and territories to advance Canada and the United States’ shared priorities in trade, investment and economic areas.” We are committed to working together.” Peace and security on the continent. ”
Prime Minister Trudeau said at a press conference Thursday that the current trilateral agreement has been “incredibly successful” for all three countries.
Prime Minister Trudeau said his “first choice” was to continue the trilateral agreement, but added that “genuine concerns have been raised regarding Chinese investment in Mexico, and I will raise them directly with the President of Mexico.” I did,” he added.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum acknowledged Thursday that Canada is concerned by reports that a Chinese company plans to build a car factory in Mexico. She said the plant no longer exists.
Sheinbaum said Trudeau assured her he would not support excluding Mexico from the Canada-U.S.-Mexico trade agreement.
“The prime minister does not agree with taking Mexico out of the treaty. The prime minister has made that clear to me,” Trudeau said after speaking with Trudeau at the Group of 20 summit in Brazil last week.
Sheinbaum believed that Ford’s calls with other prime ministers were due to internal Canadian political maneuvering. “They’re using these issues as part of their campaign,” she said.
