The California Chamber of Commerce and the Ontario (Canada) Chamber of Commerce (OCC) released a joint statement this week encouraging California state leaders—in particular the California Congressional Delegation—and Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne to actively support the renewal of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) during the current renegotiation process.
Trade between California and Ontario is extremely strong with an upward trajectory over the last five years. California and Ontario are key trade partners with billions of dollars at stake in sectors such as autos, medications, coins, fruits, motor vehicle parts and computers and computer peripherals.
“The CalChamber is working with the Ontario Chamber of Commerce in support of NAFTA, which has been mutually beneficial for our industries and agricultural enterprises,” said CalChamber President and CEO Allan Zaremberg. “The CalChamber’s long-standing support for NAFTA is based upon an assessment that it serves the interests of California, Ontario and beyond—and is beneficial to the business community and society as a whole. Our chambers stand together in urging a quick and efficient negotiation process, ensuring that trade remains strong and without interruption.”
With California and Ontario being long-standing trade partners, the CalChamber and the OCC also are encouraging their governments to continue the work being done to explore options for cooperation independent of NAFTA. Positive bilateral diplomatic relations at the subnational level are an integral part of the success of trade relationships.
“The OCC is working collaboratively with the California Chamber of Commerce in support of renewing NAFTA and the expansion of trade to ensure continued prosperity and competitiveness for both our economies,” said Rocco Rossi, president and CEO at the Ontario Chamber of Commerce. “We know that trade is a way of improving results for everyone and we are committed to working with our Chamber Network, U.S. Chambers and the Government of Ontario in support of free trade.”
