Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew appears at a news conference in Winnipeg on Thursday, May 15, 2025. (CHRISD.CA FILE)
The Manitoba government is bringing together its U.S. Trade Council ahead of upcoming Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement negotiations to ensure the province’s interests are represented.
Premier Wab Kinew announced the meeting will include council members and Manitoba’s senior U.S. representative, Richard Madan, to discuss priorities, risks and opportunities related to the trade talks.
“As CUSMA negotiations get closer, Manitoba needs to be clear, co-ordinated and ready,” Kinew said on Friday. “We’ve been clear about standing up for Manitoba’s economic interests, including advocating for progress on canola trade, and this council helps ensure we bring that same focus and preparation to discussions with the United States.”
Discussions will focus on identifying priorities for exporters, supply chains and workers, and ensuring Manitoba’s position is clearly communicated to federal officials and trade partners in the United States and Mexico.
The province says it will continue working with industry, labour and federal partners to strengthen trade relationships and defend Manitoba’s economic interests.
On the national trade front, U.S. President Donald Trump is threatening Canada with 100 percent tariffs over its new trade deal with China.
Referring to Prime Minister Mark Carney as “governor,” his old insult for former prime minister Justin Trudeau, the president’s social media post Saturday morning says if Carney thinks Canada can become a “drop off port” for China to send products into the U.S., he’s “sorely mistaken.”
— With files from The Canadian Press
