Skip to content
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Youtube
Ontario chamber of commerce logo.
  • Advocacy
    • Campaign Trail & Advocacy Updates – 2025 Federal Election
    • Ontario Competes
    • Our Publications
    • Ontario Economic Report
    • Ontario’s Mining Future 2030
    • Artificial Intelligence Hub
    • Economic Reconciliation Initiative
    • Housing Affordability Initiative
    • Policy Brief Series
  • Councils
  • Events
    • Advocacy Day
    • Annual General Meeting
    • Ontario Business Achievement Awards
    • Ontario Business Advisory Council
    • Ontario Economic Summit
    • Smart Growth Symposium
    • Webinars
  • Programs
    • Seeding Digital Skills
    • Skills Bridge
    • Talent Opportunities Program
    • Export and Trade
  • Membership
    • Affinity Programs
  • News
    • Media Releases
    • Policy Updates
    • Blogs
  • About
    • Contact
    • Board of Directors
    • Staff
    • Employment
    • Strategic Plan
A magnifying glass icon on a white background.
x
x
  • Advocacy
    • Campaign Trail & Advocacy Updates – 2025 Federal Election
    • Ontario Competes
    • Our Publications
    • Ontario Economic Report
    • Ontario’s Mining Future 2030
    • Artificial Intelligence Hub
    • Economic Reconciliation Initiative
    • Housing Affordability Initiative
    • Policy Brief Series
  • Councils
  • Events
    • Advocacy Day
    • Annual General Meeting
    • Ontario Business Achievement Awards
    • Ontario Business Advisory Council
    • Ontario Economic Summit
    • Smart Growth Symposium
    • Webinars
  • Programs
    • Seeding Digital Skills
    • Skills Bridge
    • Talent Opportunities Program
    • Export and Trade
  • Membership
    • Affinity Programs
  • News
    • Media Releases
    • Policy Updates
    • Blogs
  • About
    • Contact
    • Board of Directors
    • Staff
    • Employment
    • Strategic Plan
A man is riding a bike on a hill.

Wisconsin and Ontario Chambers of Commerce Reinforce Support of Free Trade

COVID-19 Information Tariff Resources
Navigating U.S. Tariffs
Become a Member
Become a Member >
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Youtube

Media Release

Wisconsin and Ontario Chambers of Commerce Reinforce Support of Free Trade

April 12, 2018

(Madison and Toronto, April 12, 2018) – Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC) and the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) joined together on Thursday to reinforce their support of free trade and the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Both WMC and OCC encouraged their respective governmental leaders to support the renewal of NAFTA during the current renegotiation process.

Trade between Wisconsin and Ontario are critical to both economies – supporting thousands of U.S. and Canadian jobs and billions of dollars in economic output. NAFTA has created a mutually beneficial relationship between the state and province that will continue to provide economic value for both Wisconsin and Ontario.

“WMC is delighted to join with our neighbors to the north in support of free trade and the renewal of NAFTA,” said WMC President & CEO Kurt R. Bauer. “Wisconsin is home to manufacturers, food processors and farmers. All of these industries, and others, are supported by free trade, which creates billions of dollars in economic output and family-supporting careers throughout our state. Our relationship with Ontario and the rest of Canada is vital to Wisconsin’s economic future.”

“Strong cross-border trade partnerships mutually benefit both Ontario and Wisconsin by driving economic growth and increasing competitiveness.” said Rocco Rossi, President and CEO at the Ontario Chamber of Commerce. “The OCC is pleased to join WMC today in support of NAFTA and free trade. We will continue to work with our Chamber Network, US state chambers and the Ontario government on encouraging the renewal of NAFTA, ensuring prosperity for both our economies.”

Trade is critically important to Wisconsin, contributing US$22.3 billion to the state’s economy in 2017. In fact, more than 110,000 Wisconsin jobs are supported by exports and 93 percent of those jobs are in manufacturing. Canada is also Wisconsin’s number one trade partner. Wisconsin exported nearly US$7 billion in goods and services to Canada in 2017 – accounting for almost one-third of the state’s exports.

NAFTA has positively impacted Wisconsin and Ontario and is a key to continued economic success, as trade between the two jurisdictions adds up to Can$8.4 billion. Key trade sectors between Wisconsin and Ontario include chemical wood pulp, soda or sulphate, engine parts, non-crude petroleum oil, hormones, motor vehicle parts, plastic plates, sheets, toilet paper, paper tissues, towels and food preparations.

Both WMC and OCC believe that trade must continue between Wisconsin and Ontario, and NAFTA renegotiations should strengthen the relationship between the U.S. and Canada.

–30–

For more information please contact:

Nick Novak
Director of Communications and Marketing
Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC)
608-258-3400

Jessica Georgakopoulos
Director of Communications
Ontario Chamber of Commerce
647-243-3556
jessicageorgakopoulos@occ.ca

 

Previous

Time to Resolve Dispute Between the Government of Ontario and Auditor General

Next

Rescind Small Business Tax Increases from 2018 Ontario Budget

Follow Us

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Youtube

Site Nav

  • Advocacy
  • Events
  • Programs
  • Membership
  • News
  • About
  • Contact

Receive Updates

Subscribe to our mailing list and stay up to date on everything with the Ontario Chamber of Commerce

Subscribe Now
PREMIER MEMBERS
A purple and green logo on a black background. Atkins reals logo on a white background. A green logo on a black background. A teal color with a white background. A blue and green logo with a cross in the middle. A blue bell logo on a white background. Rbc bank of canada logo. A blue and white logo with a black background. A blue and gray logo with a blue and gray background. Chambers of commerce group insurance plan logo. Rr america logo on a black background. The cn logo on a black background. Canadian fuels association logo. A logo with a red, orange, and yellow background. Mccarthy tetrault logo on an orange background. The meridian logo on a black background. A black and white photo of a man and a woman. A blue and red logo with the word mcdonald's. Bruce power innovation at work logo. The logo for the ontario medical association. The power corporation of canada logo. The lily logo on a black background. Fresh intelligence logo on a black background. A colorful logo with the word mcdonald's on it. A black and yellow logo with a yellow arrow. Waste Connections of Canada A blue logo with the word cogeco on it. A blue and orange logo with the number 5 on it. The canadian maple leaf logo on a black background. A logo with an orange and black background. Imperial Oil logo A logo with a red and gray background. GSK's logo The university of cleveland college of business and economics logo. The logo for luna feel the power. A red and black logo on a black background. Tln media group logo. 404 etr express rail route logo. The logo for astrezeca. Biomarin logo on a black background. The logo for the board of canadian registered safety professionals. A green, blue, and yellow logo. A blue and white logo with a blue background. Magna logo on a black background. Pfizer logo Servicenow logo on a black background. Canada life logo on a black background. Northbridge insurance logo on a black background. A green logo with the word mnp. Tc energy logo on a white background. Destination northern ontario logo. The interac logo with a hand on it. A thin red line on a black background. The cadillac fairview logo. Meta logo. Beer canada logo on a white background. Cibc logo with a canadian maple leaf. The logo for port montreal. The federation of rental housing providers of ontario logo. The logo for bennett jones. Kpmg logo on a white background. Agnico eagle logo. The logo for colleges colleges ontario. Leger 360

Ontario Chamber of Commerce © 2025 | Privacy Policy | Service Standard | Employment Opportunities
The OCC is an accredited chamber of commerce