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MIKE DEAL \/ FREE PRESS<\/p>\n
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew speaks on Wednesday at an event at Assiniboine Park Zoo.<\/p>\n
The keystone province exported some $7 billion worth of goods to the United States between January and June 2025, according to Manitoba data. It traded $9.04 billion in agri-food exports, and another $2.06 billion in agri-food imports, with the U.S. in 2025.<\/p>\n
Still, a cloud of uncertainty hangs over Manitoba businesses, Strain said. Entrepreneurs are waiting to see what will happen with CUSMA: a formal review launches in July.<\/p>\n
In the meantime, local firms have pulled back on hiring and paused investments.<\/p>\n
Strain was joined in Washington by representatives from the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce, Keystone Agricultural Producers and Manitoba Pork. Paul Soubry, former president of NFI Group, also attended.<\/p>\n
Richard Madan, Manitoba\u2019s trade rep in Washington, orchestrated the trip.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was key for us to get (perspective), in terms of where (U.S. officials) see where the negotiations are, and for us to really just emphasize the importance of that relationship,\u201d said Chuck Davidson, president of the Manitoba chambers.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou kind of understand size and scope when you\u2019re in Washington. They may not even know where Manitoba is, and so I think it\u2019s really important that we have that voice there.\u201d<\/p>\n
The delegation heard about Americans\u2019 trade irritants, including supply managed systems and provinces\u2019 sales bans on U.S. alcohol. The Manitoba government announced it\u2019d stop ordering American booze in February 2025.<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t JOHN WOODS \/ FREE PRESS FILES<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n Richard Madan is Manitoba\u2019s trade representative in Washington<\/p>\n The delegation pitched Manitoba\u2019s benefits, including its integrated supply chains with America and companies spanning \u2014 and employing \u2014 both sides of the border.<\/p>\n They brought up Manitoba\u2019s aerospace sector and its position as the North American Aerospace Defense Command\u2019s (NORAD) Canadian HQ.<\/p>\n Soubry noted all transit buses in the District of Columbia are made by Winnipeg-based New Flyer.<\/p>\n \u201c(And) all the material that we buy into Canada to build buses for Canada comes from the United States,\u201d he said. \u201cYou\u2019ve almost got to open their eyes to all of those connections.\u201d<\/p>\n The meeting with Greer\u2019s staff, in the fast-paced capitol, was set for a half-hour. It lasted 45 minutes.<\/p>\n Madan called it a \u201cgood, positive sign that they were engaged\u201d \u2014 especially on the day when Dominic LeBlanc, Canada\u2019s minister responsible for Canada-U.S. trade, paid a visit.<\/p>\n \u201cThe timing was perfect and excellent,\u201d Madan said.<\/p>\n LeBlanc visited after penning a letter to Greer and Mexico\u2019s secretary of economy, calling for a 16-year renewal of CUSMA. Countries can also withdraw from the trade agreement or opt for an annual review that could trigger years-long negotiations.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t Mike Sudoma \/ Free Press Files<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n Former NFI president and chief executive officer, Paul Soubry.<\/p>\n Canada seemingly wants a trade renewal more than the United States, which might require it to give more concessions, said Philippe Cyrenne, a University of Winnipeg economics professor.<\/p>\n If it doesn\u2019t change its supply managed systems, seen in industries such as dairy, there might be counter-tariffs on Canadian agricultural products. That\u2019d affect Manitoba, Cyrenne said.<\/p>\n \u201cYou have to sort of forecast what the Trump administration would get from signing some deal,\u201d he said. \u201cWould that help them in the midterms or not?\u201d<\/p>\n U.S. midterm elections are slated for November.<\/p>\n Canada, so far, has avoided a global 10 per cent tariff the U.S. has placed; CUSMA has been a shield.<\/p>\n \u201cManitoba is aligned with the Team Canada approach,\u201d Madan said, adding the delegation left meetings feeling \u201cencouraged.\u201d<\/p>\n Ontario and Alberta have trade offices in Washington. Provinces separately advocating their interests could muddy Canada\u2019s overall message, said Stefan Dodds, a U of W economics professor: \u201cYou don\u2019t want to dilute the trade message.\u201d<\/p>\n He added the delegation could help to strengthen relationships with key decision-makers.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t Adrian Wyld \/ THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n Dominic LeBlanc, Minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade and Intergovernmental Affairs.<\/p>\n \n\t\tWinnipeg Free Press | Newsletter\n\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t Dilution isn\u2019t an issue, Madan said.<\/p>\n \u201cAs much as we\u2019re part of Team Canada, we can\u2019t sit back and allow our story not to be told,\u201d Soubry said. \u201cWe\u2019re right on the eve of this whole thing.\u201d<\/p>\n Organizations paid their own way to Washington, said Cam Dahl, Manitoba Pork general manager.<\/p>\n The United States is the second-largest export market, behind Japan, for Manitoba pork producers. They ship around three million live animals to the country annually.<\/p>\n gabrielle.piche@winnipegfreepress.com<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t Gabrielle Pich\u00e9 Gabrielle Pich\u00e9 reports on business for the Free Press. She interned at the Free Press and worked for its sister outlet, Canstar Community News, before entering the business beat in 2021. Read more about Gabrielle<\/a>.<\/p>\n Every piece of reporting Gabrielle produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print \u2014 part of the Free Press\u2018s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press\u2019s history and mandate<\/a>, and learn how our newsroom operates<\/a>.<\/p>\n
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