Ford taking Team Canada message to American governors

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Premier-designate Doug Ford plans to reach out to U.S. governors whose states do extensive trade with Ontario.

The province is the top export market for 19 states and the second largest export market for another nine states, he said.

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“It’s going to be a full court press,” Ford said Thursday, following a meeting with Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland. “I’m going to be travelling to every single state because nothing’s better than meeting someone eye to eye.”

Although Ford appeared to be talking about face-to-face chats, a spokesperson said the details will be announced later.

Freeland thanked Ford for helping present a united Canadian front in the difficult NAFTA negotiations.

Premier Donald Trump has already slapped tariffs on the country’s steel and aluminum industries, and threatened to do the same with the automotive industry, a large contributor to the Ontario economy.

One of the subjects they discussed in their meeting was the federal government’s proposed list of retaliatory tariffs scheduled to come into effect on July 1, Freeland said.

“I want to be clear with Canadians, this is a perfectly reciprocal measured response,” she said.

Ford stressed the importance of maintaining the trading relationship between Canada and the United States.

“The fight shouldn’t be with Canada in my opinion,” Ford said. “I’m proud to say that they’re our neighbours. Obviously number one is Canada in my heart and everyone else’s but I love the United States of America.”

aartuso@postmedia.com