Ontario Premier Doug Ford said he wants the Canada-US-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) finalized as quickly as possible during a visit to Washington, D.C. [1].

The push for a swift resolution comes as Canada seeks to stabilize trade relations and promote economic growth with its largest partner. A failure to resolve the trade pact could lead to prolonged market instability and restricted imports.

Ford visited the U.S. capital on Monday and Tuesday, June 8-9, 2026 [2]. The two-day trip focused on promoting increased free trade and boosting the economies of both nations [3]. During the visit, Ford said he was optimistic about the potential for mutual prosperity.

"Both economies are going to boom," Ford said [4].

Despite the optimistic outlook, the premier used the trip to signal that Ontario will maintain pressure on U.S. trade partners. He specifically targeted the import of American alcohol as a point of leverage in the ongoing negotiations.

"I will not bring back U.S. booze until there is an agreement," Ford said [4].

The premier's stance contrasts with some rhetoric coming from the U.S. administration. Donald Trump previously said that CUSMA is irrelevant, though he noted that Canada wants the deal [5].

Ford's mission in Washington was to advocate for the trade pact to ensure a predictable economic environment for Ontario businesses. He said that a finalized agreement is the only path toward resuming full trade norms, including the import of alcohol products from the U.S. [1].

“"Both economies are going to boom."”

The use of alcohol imports as a bargaining chip indicates that Ontario is willing to employ targeted economic pressures to expedite the CUSMA negotiations. By linking a specific consumer product to the broader trade agreement, Ford is attempting to create immediate visibility for the trade dispute, signaling that the provincial government will not resume normal trade operations until a formal agreement is secured.