Ford threatens bilateral agreement if Mexico won’t ‘fight’ transshipment

Ontario Premier Doug Ford took to social media Tuesday morning to air his grievances about the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement.

In the statement, Ford criticized Mexico for enabling transshipment, saying in part “Mexico has allowed itself to become a backdoor for Chinese cars, auto parts and other products into Canadian and American markets, putting Canadian and American workers’ livelihoods at risk while undermining our communities and doing enormous harm to our shared economic success.”

He added that if Mexico won’t address transshipment, he supports a U.S.-Canada bilateral free trade agreement to protect workers in both countries.

Ford’s comments come as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau revives a special cabinet committee on U.S.-Canada relations.

During Trump’s first term, his push to renegotiate NAFTA and consideration of a 25 per cent tariff on the auto sector were seen as threats in Canada.

Free trade needs to be fair. Since signing on to the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, Mexico has allowed itself to become a backdoor for Chinese cars, auto parts and other products into Canadian and American markets, putting Canadian and American workers’ livelihoods at…

— Doug Ford (@fordnation) November 12, 2024

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