Ontario’s Washington representative eager to see tariffs addressed in light of CUSMA uncertainty

Ontario’s representative in Washington David Paterson on the uncertainty over annual CUSMA review negotiations.

Ontario’s representative in Washington says Canada needs to “get on with it and get these issues resolved” when it comes to the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), despite the uncertainty that surrounds its current state.

The U.S. has decided not to renew the free trade treaty between the three countries in its current form, which is leading to a lot of unknowns around its review process.

Speaking to CTV News Channel on Monday, David Paterson said since the agreement stays in place for another 10 years, it’s important to quickly try and resolve issues that impact Canadians, like the U.S.-imposed tariffs on imported aluminum, steel, and copper.

“We do need to get at it and we’re hoping that process, understood or not, we’ll continue meeting and hopefully be able to get some progress there this year,” he said.

As for where things stand right now between Ottawa and Washington, Paterson said U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc and other government representatives have been meeting with their American counterparts, like U.S. Trade Representative, Jamieson Greer.

“I think we’ve all learned a little bit of chaotic ad hockery as being a strategic approach to the United States,” he said. “We’re learning to live with that.”

Paterson said some of the issues that have been set out and clearly outlined by the U.S. are starting to be addressed by the federal government, including “digital, dairy” and trade with China.

“The United States wants to make sure that we’re not seeing Chinese goods make their way through the side doors of Mexico or Canada,” he said. “And so, there’s a lot of work to be done in that regard to make sure that we can sort of move forward.”

Despite Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s decision to air anti-tariff ads, Paterson said that hasn’t kept Ford from meeting with U.S. governors and speaking at American conferences. He said that effort is “really the fortifying of a consensus” amongst U.S. companies and members of Congress who want to renew CUSMA and get a deal.

“That’s really helpful,” he said about Ford’s trips to the U.S. “I think it’s an important part of the role of the provinces here, to make sure that we work with our business contacts and that we help make the case from the American point of view that it’s time for a deal.”

While the U.S. ambassador to Canada, Pete Hoekstra, has recently expressed a desire to see American liquor back on Canadian shelves, Paterson said that would be the easiest issue to resolve.

“As soon as we can see these tariffs on our auto sectors, steel, aluminum addressed, the booze will be back on the shelf,” he said.