Ontario Premier Doug Ford said Tuesday that the CUSMA trade deal should be completed as quickly as possible during a visit to Washington, D.C. [1].
The push for a revised agreement represents a strategic effort to stabilize cross-border commerce and secure economic growth for both Canada and the United States.
Ford is currently on a two-day trip to the U.S. capital [2]. During the visit, he said that the current diplomatic efforts are progressing well. "Very good visit so far," Ford said [3].
The Premier linked the success of the trade negotiations directly to the financial health of both nations. He said that the signing of the deal would lead to significant growth. "Both economies are going to boom if a CUSMA deal is signed," Ford said [4].
To emphasize the urgency of the negotiations, Ford tied the availability of specific imports to the finalization of the treaty. He said that he will not allow U.S. alcohol to return to store shelves in Ontario until the trade agreement is officially reached [5].
This stance on alcohol imports serves as a tangible point of leverage in the broader trade discussions. By restricting these goods, the provincial government is signaling its commitment to a finalized deal before resuming normal trade patterns for those specific products [5].
Ford's statements on June 9, 2026 [6], underscore the role of provincial leadership in influencing international trade dynamics. The Premier continues to advocate for a swift resolution to ensure that economic disruptions are minimized and the promised boom is realized [4].
“"Both economies are going to boom if a CUSMA deal is signed."”
The decision to withhold U.S. alcohol imports is an unconventional use of provincial regulatory power to pressure federal and international negotiators. By creating a visible consumer shortage, Ford is attempting to create domestic and diplomatic urgency to finalize the CUSMA revisions, framing the trade deal not just as a macroeconomic necessity but as a prerequisite for the return of specific consumer goods.
