Gov. Josh Shapiro met with Ontario Premier Doug Ford in Toronto on Wednesday to sign an agreement aimed at strengthening the economic relationship between the two jurisdictions.
“Canada, as you heard from the Premier, is Pennsylvania’s largest trading partner. We import about $13.5 billion in U.S. dollars, in goods, from Canada each year, and that’s critically important,” Shapiro said. “Our imports from Ontario represent nearly half of that total amount.”
“At the same time, Pennsylvania exports $13.9 billion of goods to Canada each year, roughly an even split,” he continued. “That is balanced trade, and Ontario accounts for 77% of Pennsylvania exports.”
Ford noted that Ontario was Pennsylvania’s number one customer for exports last year.
On Wednesday, the two signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MOU, which the Shapiro administration said is a step to increasing collaboration, spurring economic growth, and attracting investment to Pennsylvania.
“I see a historic opportunity to expand that relationship, create jobs, and make life more affordable in both our jurisdictions,” Ford said.
The MOU, Shapiro said, will “double down” on areas where they see the greatest opportunity for mutual growth and will create a working group composed of members from both administrations to share ideas and collaborate.
Ford said he was particularly excited about the agreement to explore increased cross-border energy trade.
