Ontario’s incoming premier Doug Ford met with Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland at Queen’s Park Thursday afternoon.
The meeting came just after Freeland’s return from Washington, where she met with U.S. officials to discuss NAFTA negotiations and the ongoing tariff dispute.
Canada’s ambassador to the U.S., David MacNaughton, was also present at the meeting, where trade was expected to be the focus.
After the meeting, Freeland and Ford spoke to reporters and said they are committed to working together to resolve the trade dispute.
READ MORE: Doug Ford and Chrystia Freeland put forward united front on U.S. trade dispute
Premier-designate Ford pointed out that Ontario alone does $390 billion worth of trade with the U.S., and said he hoped to boost that figure even further.
“We’re going to work hard to keep our economic ties with the U.S. strong, because the relationship between Canada and the United States is the greatest economic relationship in the entire world,” said Ford.
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Freeland said she appreciated Ford’s support, and that of other Canadian premiers.
“One of the things which has been so valuable to Canada as we have gone into these conversations is the fact that Canada is playing as a totally united team. That is absolutely essential, that is a powerful message for all Canadians and for all Americans,” she said.
WATCH: Freeland says Canada is working in ‘close consultation’ with allies
Freeland added that several other countries protested U.S. President Donald Trump’s “illegal and unjustified trade measures.”
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