Premier Ford Meets with U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer

The Voice of Canada

Premier Doug Ford issued the following statement following his meeting with U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Robert Lighthizer in Washington, D.C.:

“Today, I was honoured to meet with Ambassador Lighthizer for the first time to discuss the long-lasting and prosperous trade partnership shared by Ontario and the United States.

Our strong, reciprocal partnership is important now more than ever — and I believe that Ambassador Lighthizer’s willingness to meet today reflects a shared understanding of that. Our economies are inextricably linked and communities across the U.S. and Canada benefit from the oppportunities this partnership makes possible. In fact, if Ontario were a country it would be the U.S.’s third-largest trading partner — two-way trade was valued at CAD$390 billion in 2017.

Meeting with Ambassador Lighthizer also provided me an opportunity to express Ontario’s interests on key issues such as U.S. steel and aluminum tariffs, which are negatively impacting people and businesses on both sides of the border, and potential U.S. auto tariffs.

I am deeply appreciative of this great first meeting with Ambassador Lighthizer. I look forward to more opportunities to work together.”