The Ontario government announced the creation of the Premier’s Council on U.S. Trade and Industry Competitiveness.
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The Council, chaired by Unifor National President Jerry Dias, will provide advice and recommendations on the government’s ongoing efforts to rally business leaders, elected officials and labour leaders to protect Ontario’s rights under trade agreements and the workers who depend on a secure, prosperous and integrated North American economy. Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade and Jerry Dias will work together in the coming days to appoint additional membership to the Council.
Currently, the U.S. Congress is debating protectionist measures that would threaten industries across Ontario, including auto, lumber, steel, agriculture and more.
Of particular importance, these measures would impact auto agreements that began in 1965 with the Auto Pact, were solidified in 1994 by NAFTA and re affirmed in 2020 with the Canada United States Mexico Agreement. These agreements have brought prosperity and high skilled, well paying jobs to workers and communities across North America for more than half a century.
“If Ontario were a country, we would be the third largest trading partner to the United States,” said Minister Fedeli. “The fact is, Ontario is a critical partner to more than half the states of the union.
"That is why when previous American administrations have threatened to create trade barriers, Ontario has taken a Team Canada approach with our partners, other provinces, and the federal government to successfully secure our trade interests.
"This new Council, with the full support of our government, will continue to advocate for Ontario against unfair Buy American policies by highlighting the cost of protectionism to businesses on both sides of the border and promoting a Buy North American approach to our auto sector.” ■
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