Premier Kinew Urges Federal Negotiators to Stand Firm on Agricultural and Manufacturing Protections

WINNIPEG, MB — Premier Wab Kinew addressed reporters at the Manitoba Legislative Building Thursday afternoon following a first ministers’ conference call on cross-border trade negotiations, warning the federal government that Canadian negotiators must not sacrifice domestic producers to secure a quick trade resolution.

Supply Management and Provincial Manufacturing Safeguards

Premier Kinew expressed skepticism regarding proposed federal compromises that could open Canadian dairy market access or weaken protective retaliatory tariffs without securing permanent, ironclad exemptions for Prairie manufacturing and heavy bus fabrication exports. Manitoba’s agricultural producers and aerospace manufacturers account for billions in annual export value, making trade predictability vital to the provincial economy.

Kinew emphasized that while averting catastrophic 50 percent U.S. tariffs is an urgent priority, Canada must demonstrate resolve rather than capitulating to unilateral trade demands.

Cross-Border Trucking and Agri-Food Security

The Premier also highlighted ongoing efforts to ensure streamlined logistics at the Emerson-Pembina land border crossing, noting that delays in agricultural supply chains harm farmers on both sides of the 49th parallel.

Manitoba Keystone Agricultural Producers and farm commodity groups supported the Premier’s firm stance, stating that family dairy and poultry operations form the backbone of rural Prairie communities.

Upcoming First Ministers Council Meeting

Provincial premiers will convene a special virtual meeting of the Council of the Federation once the final legal text of the Canada-U.S. trade accord is presented by federal ministers.