Ontario looking to charm non-U.S. trading partners amid ongoing trade war

Ontario Premier Doug Ford speaks at a roundtable discussion with Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Vic Fedeli and consular officials from 16 countries in downtown Toronto Thursday April 30, 2026. (Siobhan Morris / CTV News Toronto)

The Ontario government is looking abroad to expand its trading relationships with other countries as the trade-war with the United States drags on, planning a series of targeted trade missions in the coming months.

Premier Doug Ford on Thursday hosted a roundtable discussion in downtown Toronto with consular representatives from 16 nations, including Brazil, Japan, the U.K., South Korea, India, Germany, France, Mexico and the United Arab Emirates.

Poland, Peru, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Singapore and Ireland also took part.

CTV News Toronto was exclusively invited to attend the event, which was otherwise closed to media.

“Our government is doing everything we can to protect our workers and build a more competitive, resilient, and self-reliant economy,” Premier Doug Ford told the dignitaries in his prepared remarks.

“A major part of our plan involves diversifying our trading networks and finding new partners and new trading opportunities overseas.”

Ford said part of that diversification involves building new infrastructure like seaports, highways, pipelines and railroads.

In particular, he pointed out construction on two major roads to the mineral-rich Ring of Fire region is set to begin this summer.

“Ontario has what the world wants, and we want to trade it with you,” Ford told the room.

“We’re unlocking our vast supply of critical minerals, which will play a key role in strategic sectors of global importance, including defence, electric vehicle and battery manufacturing technology, aerospace, advanced manufacturing and renewable energy.”

The premier also touted Ontario’s leading role in manufacturing, life sciences, nuclear energy and research and development.

In remarks that contrasted Ontario with the current trade climate in the U.S., Ford pointed out Ontario is a “a stable, reliable and trusted destination” for global investors.

“Protectionism doesn’t work and the best way to make everyone better off is through free and open trade,” Ford said.

U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs have battered Ontario’s economy, leading to job losses in the auto and steel sectors in particular. The premier was elected more than a year ago on a promise to protect Ontario from the trade war.

He said Thursday that Ontario’s non-U.S. exports have increased by 28 per cent since 2024 and pointed out two-way trade with countries represented at the roundtable totalled more than $183.5 billion last year.

“We want to build on that success and do even more to support free and open trade around the globe and that’s what today’s event is all about,” Ford said.

In a news release, the government said it plans to build on its momentum through a series of “targeted bilateral engagements and international trade missions” in the coming months.

The strategy echoes that recently articulated by Prime Minister Mark Carney in terms of moving away from reliance on a single trading partner.

“By working with the federal government to fortify existing trade partnerships and establishing new ones in the Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and the MERCOSUR bloc, Ontario is adapting to current economic challenges and reducing its over-reliance on a single market,” the government said.

Ontario led more than 60 targeted export missions in 2025, trips the government said helped to secure foreign direct investment and increase business exports.

It’s not yet clear exactly how many missions are planned for this year, but the government has a steep hill to climb in looking to diversify.

At the moment, Ontario’s trade relationship with the U.S. dwarfs that of all other countries put together. According to figures from Ontario’s Financial Accountability Office, the province had $397 billion worth of international exports in 2024. Of that, $287 billion went to the U.S., accounting for 72 per cent of Ontario’s exports.