Ontario Premier Doug Ford has called for Canada and the United States to work together to counter China rather than engage in a damaging trade war. He believes that the focus should be on tackling Chinese incursions into the North American market, which he says are largely being facilitated through Mexico. Ford has warned Mexico to choose between aligning with Beijing or Washington, stating that Canadians are in support of the latter. Ford accuses Mexico of serving as a “back door” for Chinese imports, particularly vehicles and auto parts, circumventing trade agreement rules.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has also expressed concerns about Chinese investments in Mexico, echoing the sentiments of the Biden administration. There have been discussions about potential repercussions for Mexico’s trade relationships with Canada and the U.S. if the issue is not addressed. Some premiers, led by Ford, have advocated for cutting Mexico out of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) entirely. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has emphasized the importance of maintaining CUSMA while also exploring potential trade relationships with China.
Ford has been actively engaging with U.S. media to highlight the negative impact of Trump’s threatened tariffs on consumers on both sides of the border. He has made appearances on various news outlets to appeal directly to Americans and emphasize the potential consequences of such actions. Other Canadian premiers, such as Alberta’s Danielle Smith, have similarly raised concerns about the impact of tariffs on Canadian energy exports and gas prices. The premiers are planning to visit Washington, D.C., in February to meet with lawmakers and administration officials to discuss the importance of the Canada-U.S. trade relationship.
Ford agrees with Trump’s call for Canada to strengthen its borders and increase defense spending in line with NATO commitments as a means of potentially avoiding tariffs. He believes that a strong Canada-U.S. alliance is crucial and that any trade war between the two countries would only benefit China. Ford acknowledges Trump’s taunts towards Canada and Trudeau but remains focused on preventing damage to the trade relationship. He is hopeful that by meeting Trump’s demands, such as border security and defense spending, Canada can avoid the implementation of tariffs and maintain a strong partnership with the United States.
The issue of Chinese investments in Mexico has raised concerns in Canada and the U.S., with calls for Mexico to address the issue to avoid potential trade repercussions. The future of CUSMA may be at stake if Mexico does not take action to prevent Chinese products from entering the North American market through its borders. Ford and other Canadian leaders are advocating for a united front against China, emphasizing the importance of trade relationships with the U.S. and the need to counter Chinese influence in the region.
Ford’s message to Mexico and his efforts to engage with U.S. media reflect a proactive approach to addressing trade challenges and strengthening the Canada-U.S. relationship. By emphasizing the negative impact of tariffs on consumers and highlighting the benefits of a strong partnership with the United States, Ford is advocating for a collaborative approach to counter Chinese influence in North America. The upcoming visit to Washington, D.C., by Canadian premiers underscores the importance of maintaining strong ties with the U.S. and working together to address shared challenges in trade and security.
