Gov. Josh Shapiro talks tariffs and Canadian sovereignty in trip to Ontario

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(The Center Square) – Gov. Josh Shapiro met with Ontario Premier Doug Ford in Toronto on Wednesday to sign an agreement aimed at strengthening the economic relationship between the two jurisdictions.

“Canada, as you heard from the Premier, is Pennsylvania's largest trading partner. We import about $13.5 billion in U.S. dollars, in goods, from Canada each year, and that's critically important,” Shapiro said. “Our imports from Ontario represent nearly half of that total amount.” 

“At the same time, Pennsylvania exports $13.9 billion of goods to Canada each year, roughly an even split,” he continued. “That is balanced trade, and Ontario accounts for 77% of Pennsylvania exports.”

Ford noted that Ontario was Pennsylvania’s number one customer for exports last year. 

On Wednesday, the two signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MOU, which the Shapiro administration said is a step to increasing collaboration, spurring economic growth, and attracting investment to Pennsylvania.

“I see a historic opportunity to expand that relationship, create jobs, and make life more affordable in both our jurisdictions,” Ford said.

The MOU, Shapiro said, will “double down” on areas where they see the greatest opportunity for mutual growth and will create a working group composed of members from both administrations to share ideas and collaborate.

Ford said he was particularly excited about the agreement to explore increased cross-border energy trade. 

The sectors cited by Ford that were critical to both regions' economies also included advanced manufacturing such as steel, automotive, and electric vehicles, critical minerals, life sciences, technology, and AI, agriculture, and forestry.

While Shapiro emphasized the importance of collaboration between Canada and Pennsylvania, he criticized the Trump administration's tariff policy.

“The tariffs that the Trump administration has put in place are a real threat to both of our economies, as a result of that and the unpredictable approach to our allies, including Canada,” Shapiro said. “Our trade with Canada has gone down, has declined, about $500 million. That means fewer goods available for Pennsylvanians to buy, and fewer markets for Pennsylvania businesses to sell to.” 

“All that chaos at the federal level in the United States is making us all worse off,” he added. 

Ford mentioned that he recently was in Washington D.C. to meet with U.S. members of elected office and leaders from critical industries, specifically citing the automotive, aerospace, defense, and agricultural sectors.

“In every conversation, I've made one thing very clear: tariffs and uncertainty hurt workers, businesses, and families in both our great countries,” Ford said. 

Republican elected officials in Pennsylvania have largely backed Trump’s tariff policies, believing that they are aimed at promoting American-made products. 

In February, the U.S. Supreme Court voted 6-3 against Trump’s tariff power.

In addition to Shapiro’s criticism of Trump’s tariff policies, he also blasted the president, seemingly over his comments about making Canada the 51st state. 

“I know that many Canadians, to many of them, the United States does not feel very welcoming right now,” Shapiro said. “I get that, given the reckless and disrespectful rhetoric coming from our President. Hear me on this: I respect Canadian sovereignty. Period.”

Shapiro noted the longtime relationship between the two countries and that there’s only a 29-mile difference between the Port of Erie and Port Dover in Ontario.

Shapiro’s trip north of the border was not his first since he’s taken office. 

In October, Shapiro was elected to serve as chair of the Conference of Great Lakes St. Lawrence Governors & Premiers, (GSGP), during a summit in Québec City.

On Thursday evening, Shapiro is scheduled to speak at the U.S.-Canada Summit, a gathering which is slated to feature business leaders, policymakers, and experts to discuss the future of the U.S.-Canada relationship.