Doug Ford warns Trump’s tariff war with Canada is here to stay
Por Zi-Ann Lum — POLITICO – TOP Stories
Ontario Premier Doug Ford says two years of “crisis” and “chaos” have cemented a new reality: Canada’s relationship with the United States has permanently changed — and American tariffs are here to stay.
With more Republicans breaking ranks with the White House’s tariff war on Canada, Ford predicted a “big change” will come to the U.S. Senate and House after the midterms, though he hedged that anything is possible.
“We need to be prepared for the long haul,” Ford told an Empire Club luncheon on Tuesday that drew 1,200 attendees in downtown Toronto.
Ontario currently faces one of the highest average U.S. tariff rates at 9%, second to Quebec’s 11%, according to a National Bank analysis. Ontario’s average tariff rate is expected to rise if Trump makes good on his threat to increase tariffs on imports of Canadian cars, trucks, automotive parts and steel products to 50% on New Year’s Day.
South of the border, the Trump administration’s tariff war with Canada is sliding up against cost-of-living concerns as inflation ticks up.
Republican candidates in Michigan are feeling the pressure.
“Here in Michigan, we know that Canada is not our enemy,” Michigan Republican Senate nominee Mike Rogers said in a 30-second ad released last week. “We need to end this tariff war now.”
Rep. John James (R-Mich.) also recently introduced legislation, making a promise of stronger bonds with Canada as a part of his gubernatorial campaign.
“Our country needs to push back on unfair trade practices, but states like Michigan should not have to shoulder that burden alone,” James said in a statement on the impact of tariffs on Michiganders. “I fought with Canadians in Iraq. We have a deep and abiding bond that will not extinguish.”
Ford is no friend of the Trump administration.
During the Empire Club event, former Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey moderated a fireside conversation with Ford during which the pair discussed the “coldness” they received from the White House’s deputy chiefs of staff. The two leaders traveled to Washington in February 2025 on a mission to stave off U.S. tariffs.
U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick threatened to send American troops across the border unless Ford backed down on his threat to apply a 25% surcharge on electricity exports, former Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland revealed in her new book, “Unreliable Boyfriend.”
Ford blinked. Lutnick has no authority over the U.S. military.
The outspoken Ontario premier accused the White House of turning its back on the world’s “most durable, prosperous, and secure economic partnership,” a move that has landed heavy blows on Ontario’s steel and auto manufacturing sectors.
Ford’s speech, billed as his annual “state of the province” Empire Club address, offered few details about new policies to respond to the trade war, though he teased “more action” on simplifying the provincial permitting process.
But despite the turmoil, Ford said, there’s still C$500 billion in annual two-way trade between the U.S. and Ontario.
Fonte: POLITICO – TOP Stories
