Ontario, Manitoba agree to boost interprovincial trade, facing U.S. tariff crunch [Video]

As the threat of U.S. tariffs ratchets up pressure on the Canadian economy, the governments of Ontario and Manitoba have agreed to ease barriers on the flow of goods, services and workers between the two provinces.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew announced a memorandum of understanding (MOU) at a news conference Wednesday. The Ford government has recently signed similar MOUs with Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.

Speaking to reporters, Ford said interprovincial trade barriers cost the national economy $200 billion every year.

“Like President Trump’s tariffs, they divide us and hold back our economy,” Ford said.

The premier added that he looks forward to signing similar agreements with other provinces. 

Kinew said in a news release the agreement will “unlock more economic opportunities for people in both provinces.”

“We’re facing a tariff war on two fronts and now is the time to build up this country …