
Manitoba can put a lot of value on the trade negotiation table as Canada works to secure tariff-free access to the United States market, Premier Wab Kinew said December 3, in his State of the Province address.
Manitoba is tightly tied into the US in exports and imports, in border states and beyond, Kinew noted. A recession could be triggered quickly should incoming President Donald Trump make good on his threats to slap a 25% tariff on Canadian goods, but the disruption would be felt on both sides of the border, he noted.
Manitoba has a whole future of trade benefits to offer to the US, including secure, proximal access to a wealth of natural resources – Kinew quoted Vale’s Stacy Kennedy who has called Manitoba “the Costco of critical minerals.”
Strengthening the border security to stem the flow of illegal drugs, thereby reducing crime and addictions, would be a good thing the premier said.
Further, increasing national defence investment to 2% of the GDP would naturally spin off jobs in provincial aerospace and manufacturing industries: “What’s the downside here?”
Manitoba is opening a trade office in the new year in Washington, joining the practice of other provinces, to ensure a close and constant presence at Capitol Hill, Kinew announced.
“We’re your best trading partner,” he said.
“We’re your most secure ally.” No other country on Earth can make that same commitment, he noted.