The Globe and Mail reports in its Monday, June 1, edition that Ontario Premier Doug Ford will co-host a business reception with billionaire Ross Perot Jr. in Washington on June 8, aiming to strengthen economic ties with the United States. The Globe's Laura Stone writes that during his two-day trip on June 8-9, Mr. Ford is expected to engage with business leaders from the auto, aerospace and agriculture sectors, as well as meet with U.S. senators and Congress members. Mr. Perot Jr. chairs the board of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which bills itself as the world's largest business organization, representing more than three million American companies of all sizes. Mr. Ford and Mr. Perot Jr. struck up a friendship this year after meeting in April during the Premier's provincial trade mission to Texas. While in D.C., Mr. Ford is expected to launch an updated version of his "Fortress Am-Can" pitch, which will now be labelled "Fortress North America" -- focusing on the economic partnerships and shared security between Canada, the U.S. and Mexico. While Mr. Ford has previously mused about cutting Mexico out of the deal, he is revising his vision to include integrating all three economies.