All premiers aligned on push for Canada to have bilateral trade deal with U.S.: Ford

Nov 20, 2024 | 10:39 AM

TORONTO — Ontario Premier Doug Ford says all provincial and territorial premiers are aligned on his push for the federal government to negotiate a bilateral trade deal with the United States.

Ford, who is the current chair of the Council of the Federation, the group of Canada’s 13 premiers, says they had a call today and there is a clear consensus that the country needs separate agreements with the U.S. and Mexico.

The premiers are calling for a meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his officials to discuss the idea.

Ford says Mexico has allowed itself to become a “back door” for Chinese cars, auto parts and other products, importing them and then shipping them to Canada and the U.S. as made-in-Mexico products.