Part 6/10:
Ontario’s representative in Washington, David Patterson, highlighted ongoing outreach efforts aimed at safeguarding trade interests. Since early discussions, there’s been some success in securing exemptions from certain tariffs, but the threat of sectoral tariffs under Section 232 remains. These tariffs target steel, aluminum, and automotive parts, and could impose significant costs.
Patterson emphasized the importance of maintaining a stable auto industry, which employs nearly half a million jobs in southern Ontario and is poised to grow with investments in electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing. Major companies like Volkswagen and Stellantis are investing in EV and battery plants, emphasizing Ontario’s strategic role in auto electrification.