Trade agreements, new China ambassador discussed by Freeland in K-W
Ambassador Barton will 'continue working closely' with Waterloo region, Freeland says
As Canada and the United States continue work to ratify a new North American trade agreement, Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland was in Kitchener and Waterloo to tout the benefits of a new deal.
Freeland met with business leaders in Kitchener in the early afternoon, then toured Onward Manufacturing in Waterloo, which makes Broil King products.
She said the main topic of conversation at both meetings was the ratification process of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) trade pact, which will replace the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
"I talked about the ongoing conversations we are having with our U.S. partners about the ratification process in the U.S.," Freeland said.
Negotiating is done, there's a deal, Mexico has ratified it, but Canada is working in lock-step with the U.S. when it comes to the ratification process.
"Our intention is very much to move forward in tandem with our American partners," she said. "I think of it as a Goldilocks approach: neither faster nor slower."
New China ambassador respected
Freeland said local business leaders also told her they were happy with the choice for the new ambassador to China, Dominic Barton. Barton was named to the role on Wednesday.
"Ambassador Barton is well known in the Kitchener-Waterloo area and I was really glad to hear spontaneously from some of the people in the group the high regard they have for Ambassador Barton," she said.
"I want to assure you all that he will continue working closely with people here in Kitchener-Waterloo even as he undertakes his new duties."