SOUTH CAROLINA, USA — Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Henry McMaster, Governor of South Carolina, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) June 21, to strengthen collaboration and expand economic opportunities in key sectors, including energy, nuclear technology, critical minerals, mobility, automotive and electric-vehicle manufacturing, aerospace, agri-food and life sciences.
The agreement follows Premier Ford’s recent mission to Washington, D.C. and the unveiling of Ontario’s renewed plan for Building Fortress North America by reaching a fair free trade agreement that will create more jobs, lower costs and strengthen North American security.
“Ontario and South Carolina have a long and successful history of collaboration, based on shared democratic values, entrepreneurial spirit and a commitment to build for the future,” said premier Ford. “Our government has a plan to build Fortress North America and support our American partners, using Ontario’s competitive advantage in affordable energy, advanced manufacturing and critical minerals. Today’s agreement will help create jobs and economic opportunity for workers and families on both sides of the border.”
Ontario and South Carolina share a close trading relationship, with total trade valued at more than $5.7 billion (CAD) in 2025, accounting for 57.6 percent of Canada’s total trade with the state. The agreement signed today will strengthen economic cooperation between the two jurisdictions by promoting cross-border collaboration, investment and economic opportunities for residents and businesses.
“South Carolina has enjoyed a strong economic relationship with Ontario, benefiting businesses and families in both regions while contributing to the prosperity of both economies,” said Governor McMaster. “This agreement will build on that momentum by strengthening trade and investment ties and creating new opportunities in industries that are critical to our continued success.”
Under this agreement, Ontario and South Carolina will expand strategic cooperation in areas that are critical to both regions’ economies, including energy and advanced nuclear technologies. Ontario continues to make historic investments to build and expand nuclear energy capacity, including the first small modular reactors in the G7.
“Ontario and South Carolina’s trade partnership is rooted in a generational commitment to protect workers, foster economic growth and strengthen supply chains,” said Vic Fedeli, Ontario minister of economic development, job creation and trade. “Today’s agreement intends to translate these shared values into shared successes, fortifying our government’s plan to build Fortress North America while creating strategic pathways for investment in sectors of critical importance to both our economies.”
The new MOU is part of the government’s ongoing plan to make Ontario the most resilient and competitive economy in the G7 by strengthening ties and establishing new relationships with governments at the federal, state and local levels, as well as business leaders across the United States. Since 2023, Ontario has signed eight new economic cooperation agreements with Indiana, Michigan, Nevada, Illinois, New Jersey, Maryland, New York and Pennsylvania.
Quick facts
- Nearly one in five jobs in Ontario depend on trade. With over 1.5 million jobs supported by exports, Ontario’s jobs are the most export-reliant across Canada.
- Trade between Ontario and South Carolina grew from $4.7 billion (CAD) in 2018 to more than $5.7 billion (CAD) in 2025.
- Building Fortress North America: Ontario’s North American Growth Plan is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for Canada, the United States and Mexico to strengthen the most important economic partnership in the world, unlocking billions of dollars in new investment, creating a jobs boom, lowering the cost of living, limiting the flow of unfair imports and strengthening national security across the continent.