U.S. Trade Deal Possible but Tariffs Are Real, Says Ontario Envoy

Ontario: So, there’s this Ontario envoy, David Paterson, who’s pretty optimistic about a trade deal with the U.S. He thinks there’s a way to strengthen the Canada-U.S. economic ties, but he’s also realistic. He says Canada might face some tough times before anything good happens.

Paterson’s been chatting with Republican lawmakers in Washington, and they seem to get how much the U.S. relies on Canadian goods, especially critical stuff like nickel. He’s all about building a North American alliance to tackle challenges from China and Russia.

He mentioned that with Trump’s tariffs looming, it’s crucial to find common ground. Paterson believes they can work something out, but it’s going to be a bumpy ride first. Trump’s been talking about slapping 25% tariffs on Canadian imports, which is a big deal.

Canadian officials have been making trips to Washington, trying to pitch better trade and energy partnerships. Ontario’s Premier Doug Ford has been vocal against these tariffs, even hinting at some retaliatory actions.

Paterson feels that provinces like Ontario have an easier time making their case to the U.S. than the federal government does. He’s been meeting with his counterparts from Alberta and Quebec to stress the importance of keeping trade open.

He’s focused on Ontario’s nickel exports and how intertwined the auto industry is between the two countries. If Canada stops sending parts, U.S. plants could shut down quickly.

Paterson also pointed out that Ontario’s electricity could help power the U.S. data centers for AI that the Trump administration wants to build. He believes that U.S. dependence on Canadian goods can actually be a good thing if they work together.

In the end, he thinks the federal government needs to step up and address U.S. concerns more effectively. He’s ready to collaborate with whoever becomes the next prime minister to navigate through these tariffs and find a deal.