Canadian officials say they want to meet with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau “as soon as possible” to discuss Canada’s relationship with the US.
In a letter addressed to Trudeau, Ontario Premier Doug Ford said he and other world leaders want to meet to discuss how Ottawa plans its relationship with Washington now that Donald Trump is returning to the White House.
“As we look forward to welcoming the incoming US administration, it is imperative that we act now to work together and seize this opportunity to grow and strengthen our historic relationship with the US,” the letter says.
Government leaders also say they want to know Ottawa’s plans for the upcoming review of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA).
“We need clarification from you about how you think about mixing and interacting with government leaders as we enter into the review of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement, including who among your ministers will lead your government,” says the letter.
Ford has been vocal about trade with the US and Mexico in recent weeks.
The Ontario premier accused Mexico of acting as a “back door for Chinese cars, auto parts and other products” to enter the North American market.
WATCH | Premier Ford talks about pushing for Canada to have a trade deal with the US:
Ford has said it wants Canada to move forward on trade agreements between the US and Mexico ahead of the CUSMA review in 2026.
“They’ve had the opportunity to address these concerns for years and they don’t want to,” Ford said of Mexico at a press conference Thursday.
“So they show their cards and we will make a trade deal with them, and one separate one with the US”
Following the meeting of regional and district officials last week, Ford said that all ministers are in agreement on their recommendation that the government negotiate a trade agreement with the United States.
But Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey told reporters in Ottawa that the deal was an emergency plan.
“The idea was that if the old agreement fails, we want to support two different agreements,” he said.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, and Mexican Prime Minister Claudia Sheinbaum speak at the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Rio de Janeiro on Monday, November 18, 2024.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, and Mexican Prime Minister Claudia Sheinbaum speak at the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Rio de Janeiro on Monday, Nov. 18, 2024. (Eraldo Peres/AP)
At a press conference on Thursday, Trudeau said the current tripartite agreement was “a huge success” for the three countries.
While Trudeau said his “first choice” is to continue with the tripartite agreement, he added that “there have been real and genuine concerns raised about China’s investment in Mexico that I brought up directly with the Mexican president.”
The president of Mexico, Mr. Claudia Sheinbaum, admitted on Thursday that Canada is worried about the news that a Chinese company is planning to build a car plant in Mexico. He said that this plant does not exist yet.
Sheinbaum said Trudeau assured him he would not back Mexico out of the Canada-US-Mexico trade deal.
“The prime minister does not agree to take Mexico out of the agreement. He told me clearly,” he said after meeting Trudeau at last week’s G20 summit in Brazil.
Sheinbaum said the invitation of Ford and other leaders to a political conference in Canada. “They use these issues as a way to encourage people to vote,” they say.