Windsor steel magnate weighs in on upcoming trade negotiations

A Windsor-based billionaire discusses what the cost of the Gordie Howe Bridge will be and how it impacts Windsor and the U.S. CTV's Bob Bellacicco reports.

Barry Zekelman doesn’t think one deal will be had when negotiations open between Canada, U.S and Mexico.

“I think the U.S. is going to have a separate deal with Mexico and a separate deal with Canada,” the CEO of Zekelman Industries told CTV News.

“I could tell you that if I was the President of the United States, that’s how I’d do it. I see no reason to include Canada with Mexico.”

The Canadian steel magnate feels a renewed free trade agreement between Canada, the U.S., and Mexico should be broken into separate negotiations.

“Canada’s very different than Mexico. Mexico is evolving and Canada needs other solutions, right, that don’t have anything to do with Mexico so I wouldn’t want Canada to negotiate with Mexico in mind. They need to negotiate with Canada in mind.”

When talking about the Gordie Howe International Bridge, Zekelman said the structure is remarkable and one that will benefit both countries.

He added all three local border crossings play a key role in keeping trade moving.

Zekelman also wishes the Ambassador Bridge had been allowed to modernize.

“I think that was an unusually unfortunate situation. I mean, we need that too and we probably need more modernization of the tunnel so if we’re going to have the trade that we have we’re going to need all avenues to move that product.”

Pete Hoekstra, the U.S. Ambassador to Canada, spent some time in Windsor last week with Mayor Drew Dilkens and a few business leaders. They talked about a wide variety of topics including trade relations between the two countries and the Gordie Howe International Bridge.

“It was a good conversation and I’m confident he understands and appreciates and did communicate to me that the United States understands the importance of the USMCA, not just to our economy but to theirs as well,” Dilkens said.

He noted the Ambassador answers to President Donald Trump and understands a good conversation with the doesn’t exactly sway the pendulum heavily.

“At the end of the day it’ll depend on what happens at the negotiating table and where President Trump lands with the deal on his side,” he said.

As for the Gordie Howe International Bridge, there continues to be no set date.

“The bridge is effectively complete, and I think the Ambassador understands that this is the best thing to do, as well it’s just a matter of how to do it and how to get President Trump over the hump.”