Manitoba’s senior representative to the United States Richard Madan shared the report on the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) at a meeting of the U.S. Trade Council ahead of its upcoming review this summer.
“We know these next few months will be extremely consequential as we address the ongoing trade disputes, which is why we set up a permanent presence in Washington D.C.,” said Premier Wab Kinew. “Our representative in the United States has been working hard to ensure Manitoba businesses can continue to get their products to market south of the border.”
The findings of the report reiterate the importance of the agreement to Manitoba’s economy, which still relies heavily on exports to its North American partners, and underscores the need for stability and predictability in trade between the three countries, the premier noted.
The Manitoba trade office set up by the Manitoba government in Washington D.C. has been crucial in the ongoing trade talks, the premier added, as it’s helping to create a direct conduit between the province and its largest trading partner. It will play an important role in ensuring that Manitoba maintains continued access to the markets in both Mexico and the U.S. going forward and allow for further investment and economic growth in the province.
Madan consulted extensively with 118 business, labour and Indigenous organizations about the future of the agreement and the potential impacts on Manitoba’s economy.
“A number of Canadian provinces have representation in Washington D.C. and there is a good reason for it,” said Madan. “What gets decided on Capitol Hill and inside the administration affects Manitoba farmers, manufacturers, miners and workers every day. The findings released today give us a clear mandate to take into the rooms where Manitoba needs to be heard. The work of this office is to make sure the Manitoba government’s voice lands before American decisions are made, not after.”
The report drew on the knowledge and expertise of some of Manitoba’s most important sectors, including agriculture, critical minerals, manufacturing, transportation, financial services and culture. It comes at a time of persistent pressure to address and resolve both long-standing and more recent trade disputes.
“The upcoming review of CUSMA is a critical opportunity to reinforce the stability and predictability that Manitoba businesses rely on to grow, invest and compete,” said Chuck Davidson, president and CEO, Manitoba Chambers of Commerce. “Our members have been clear that continued free trade with the United States is essential to sustaining jobs, supporting supply chains and maintaining Manitoba’s economic competitiveness. Preserving a strong, modernized agreement will ensure businesses on both sides of the border can continue to benefit from an integrated North American economy.”
The Manitoba trade office in Washington D.C., will play an active role as these discussions unfold over the coming months and will strengthen the Manitoba government’s case at the negotiating table, the premier noted. The office will reiterate the mutually beneficial relationship that has existed between Manitoba and its neighbouring states, as well as among the three countries as a whole.
Formal trilateral talks for the CUSMA review are set to begin July 1.
