Doug Ford to visit Texas and southern U.S. ahead of USMCA trade review

Ontario Premier Doug Ford will travel to Texas, the southeastern United States and Utah this spring and summer to meet governors and lawmakers as a push against tariffs and to promote closer cross-border economic ties. The visits come before a Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement (USMCA) review scheduled to begin in July.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford plans a series of trips to the southern United States and Utah this spring and summer to meet governors and U.S. lawmakers. The visits are framed by his office as part of an effort to oppose recent U.S. tariffs and to promote stronger economic cooperation between Canada and the United States. The meetings occur as the Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement (USMCA) review is due to begin in July. Ford’s office has described the outreach as continuing his work with both Republican and Democratic officials. Key details: - Mr. Ford is scheduled to travel to Texas at the beginning of April to meet with Governor Greg Abbott and with business and political contacts. - He will attend the 2026 Southeastern United States–Canadian Provinces Conference in Greenville, South Carolina at the end of June, which brings together six southeastern states and several Canadian provinces. - In early July Mr. Ford plans to attend the Western Governors' Association annual meeting in Deer Valley, Utah, where he and Utah Governor Spencer Cox are expected to sign a memorandum of understanding on energy and trade. - The trips are presented as part of a push against U.S. tariffs; Hannah Jensen, a spokeswoman for Mr. Ford’s office, said those tariffs have cost "billions" to the economy and families on both sides of the border. - The travel comes ahead of a USMCA review set to begin in July amid reports that the U.S. administration is reconsidering elements of the agreement. Summary: Mr. Ford’s planned meetings aim to build relationships with state leaders and lawmakers and to press concerns about tariffs as the USMCA review approaches. The next known steps are his April visit to Texas, attendance at the Greenville conference in late June, and participation in the Western Governors' Association meeting in early July, followed by the USMCA review beginning in July.