TORONTO -- Premier Doug Ford is set to unveil a new trade strategy with the United States in February, which he says could allow Ontario businesses to bypass U.S. President Donald Trump’s Buy America policies.
In a speech to the 360 Canada Economic Summit, Ford railed against “damaging” American protectionism and said the province has been examining ways of “getting around” the policy with the new strategy, which the premier plans to unveil at the National Governors meeting in Washington D.C.
“It’s terrible, that Buy American,” Ford said. “But folks, once we roll this out, we will have a way of possibly getting around this by American policy.”
While Ford didn’t offer any details about the new strategy, CTV News Toronto has learned the government is looking to level the playing field between Ontario and American businesses on a state-by-state level.
While Buy American policies restrict a Canadian company’s access to U.S. federal infrastructure projects, the Ford government believes it might have found a loophole with individual states that have a far less protectionist attitude.
“It’s an approach that will enable us to address the challenges we face with that damaging Buy American policy,” Ford said.
On Thursday, the premier and his cabinet are expected to sign off on the plan that would give Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, new powers to negotiate agreements directly with American states – allowing Ontario companies to bid on state-funded infrastructure projects.
“We are looking at improving market access and procurement opportunities for Ontario and Ohio businesses,” Ford said.
The goal is to have Ontario treated as another U.S. state giving it the same access to projects that other states would have.
“We are in talks with the state of Ohio to move forward with a new groundbreaking approach to trade with the U.S. partners,” Ford told the summit.
“We are looking at improving market access and procurement opportunities for Ontario and Ohio businesses.”
Ford also says that a delegation of American governors will be coming to Ontario in April for an infrastructure study tour.
Ontario is the top trading partner with 19 states and the second-largest trading partner with nine others.
With files from the Canadian Press
