The discussions continue on a potential trade agreement between Canada and the United States.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford says he had recent conversations with federal Trade Minister Dominic Leblanc and U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.

Ford would not provide details about what was discussed, but says the talks remain positive.

“So we’re going to continue communicating. The most important thing in business and politics, and everyone here understands it, is relationships,” says Ford.

“You have to build relationships in politics, within business, and that’s what we’re doing. We’re building relationships.”

But while the conversations have been cordial, Ford says the two still differ on tariffs.

The Premier says until an agreement is in place, he still supports the need for counter-measures against the tariffs put in place by the Trump Administration.

The U.S. is our largest customer. We respect them, but it has to go both ways. You can’t have tariffs on one side and not the other. I still stand by what I say. Dollar for dollar, tariff for tariff. They understand strength, not weakness,” says Ford.

Ford still supports the actions taken by Prime Minister Mark Carney.

He feels the Prime Minister is doing everything in his power to get a fair trade deal with the U.S., one that protects the interests of Canada and Ontario.