February 3, 2025
Premier Wab Kinew Meets with Manitoba's U.S. Trade Council Ahead of Tariffs
Ahead of the incoming tariffs from United States President Donald Trump, Premier Wab Kinew met with Manitoba’s U.S. Trade Council today to discuss the province’s response.
“Unity is our strength right now, which is why we’ve pulled together this council with representation from business, labour and Indigenous governments,” said Kinew. “We’re going to stand up for Manitoba workers and the businesses that power our economy. This table will provide us with ideas and hear the needs of businesses and workers that we should respond to.”
Manitoba’s U.S. Trade Council includes leaders from mining, forestry, agriculture, manufacturing and bioscience, and workers from many sectors. The council also includes leadership from Indigenous governments.
In addition to the council members announced in January, Grand Chief Kyra Wilson of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs and David Chartrand, president of the Manitoba Métis Federation, have joined the council along with the following new members:
- Matthew Atkinson, president, Manitoba Beef Producers;
- Kevin Betcher, senior director of regional siding manufacturing, Louisiana Pacific;
- Andre Brin, CEO, World Trade Centre; and
- Gavin McGarrigle, western regional director, Unifor.
The council will help the Manitoba government ensure what it is doing at the provincial level will have the greatest impact, the premier noted.
For more information, Manitoba businesses or workers impacted by tariffs can contact the Manitoba government tariff hotline at 1-877-827-4330 (toll-free) or 204-945-8011, Manitoba Government Inquiry at 204-945-3744 or visit https://manitoba.ca/tariffresponse/.
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