TORONTO — Ontario Premier Doug Ford says all provincial and territorial premiers are aligned on his push for the federal government to negotiate a bilateral trade deal with the United States.

Ford, who is the current chair of the Council of the Federation, the group of Canada’s 13 premiers, says they had a call today and there is a clear consensus that the country needs separate agreements with the U.S. and Mexico.

The premiers are calling for a meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his officials to discuss the idea.

Ford says Mexico has allowed itself to become a “back door” for Chinese cars, auto parts and other products, importing them and then shipping them to Canada and the U.S. as made-in-Mexico products.

This week, Trudeau raised the issue with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on the sidelines of the G20 leaders’ summit in Brazil, saying he highlighted concerns directly to her.

The Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement is up for review in 2026.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 20, 2024.

Allison Jones, The Canadian Press