Alberta premier agrees with Doug Ford’s pitch to explore kicking Mexico out of trade agreement

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith recently expressed her agreement with Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s suggestion to consider cutting Mexico out of the North American trade agreement. During an interview with Power & Politics host David Cochrane, Smith echoed Ford’s concerns about Mexico’s lack of equal partnership with the United States and its openness to Chinese investment.

Smith emphasized that Mexico’s relationship with China has been a cause for concern, as it has led to the hollowing out of the manufacturing sector in both America and Canada. She highlighted the need for a bilateral approach to address these issues and ensure fair trade practices between the countries.

Ford had proposed the idea of reverting to a Canada-U.S. bilateral trade pact, excluding Mexico if it fails to align its policies regarding Chinese imports with those of Canada and the United States. The current trilateral agreement, known as CUSMA, is set to be reviewed in 2026, and concerns have been raised about Chinese-owned car plants in Mexico supplying the U.S. market.

Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland acknowledged the concerns raised by American partners regarding Mexico’s policies towards China. While she did not explicitly support Ford’s proposal, she emphasized the importance of aligning with the U.S. on trade issues.

In response to Ford’s suggestion, Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum rejected the idea, stating that Mexico had supported Canada during the last round of NAFTA negotiations. However, provinces like Manitoba have been actively engaging with American lawmakers to strengthen trade relationships with the United States.

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew emphasized the role of provinces in enhancing trade ties with the U.S. and meeting NATO’s military spending target. He highlighted the importance of provinces like Manitoba in ensuring a good relationship with the incoming U.S. administration, particularly in light of concerns raised about Mexico’s trade practices.

Overall, the conversation around potentially cutting Mexico out of the North American trade agreement reflects ongoing discussions about fair trade practices and the need for countries to address issues related to Chinese investment and manufacturing. As provinces like Manitoba engage with American partners and work towards strengthening trade relationships, the focus remains on ensuring a level playing field and promoting mutually beneficial trade practices.