The Ontario Premier engaged in the “trade war” with Donald Trump has renewed his threat to implement countermeasures against the United States.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford has issued another caution to President Donald Trump, stating that his planned retaliatory tariffs will negatively impact American citizens.
Ford has been leading Canada’s response in the trade conflict with the United States, which began when the President imposed a series of “devastating” tariffs on neighboring countries, including Mexico, China, and the European Union.
Trump cited various justifications ranging from drug trafficking to immigration concerns for these costly sanctions, which include a 25 percent tariff on aluminum and steel imports.
In response, the Canadian premier canceled a $100 million contract with Elon Musk and threatened to increase prices on mineral exports and electricity that currently powers 1.5 million homes and businesses across New York, Michigan, and Minnesota.
He even suggested completely cutting off power alongside a series of “relentless” counteractions before pausing after what was described as a “productive” discussion with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick earlier this month.
Following the tense standoff and during a momentary pause in hostilities, Trump described Ford as a “strong man.”
However, the dispute has apparently resumed as Trump announced additional increases, including a 25 percent tariff on cross-border automotive trade.
Ford has returned to his confrontational position, declaring that his country will inflict “as much pain as possible to the American people,” while protecting Canadians.
“President Trump’s at it again and what I can tell you, it’s going to hurt American workers,” he said.
“I’m in full support of preparing retaliatory tariffs, tariff for tariff, but we want to see what he’s going to do on April the 2nd, as we’ve seen over a number of months, it’s on again, off again.”
Ford added: “We have to review every tariff and minimize the impact on Canadians while maximizing the consequences for Americans. I feel terrible for the American people, but it’s one person, President Trump, who’s creating this chaos.”
Trump announced on Wednesday (March 26) that tariffs on vehicles and certain automobile components will take effect on April 2, which he has labeled “the beginning of Liberation Day in America,” and will be “100 percent permanent.”
Despite the President’s insistence that these tariff increases on trading partners will strengthen jobs, industries, and the overall economy, many economists and sectors—from agriculture to retail—remain skeptical.
They argue that retaliatory measures could ultimately burden American consumers, particularly affecting prices of groceries and alcoholic beverages, a situation further complicated by the European Union’s pledge to impose a retaliatory 50 percent tariff on US alcohol products.
American automobile manufacturers, including Musk’s electric vehicle company Tesla, recently submitted a letter to the US Trade Representative’s Office, noting that “certain parts and components” are manufactured outside the United States and could be “difficult or impossible to source” domestically.
Autos Drive America, which represents major manufacturers including Toyota, Volkswagen, BMW, Honda, and Hyundai, also cautioned that “broad-based tariffs will disrupt production at U.S. assembly plants.”
The trade organization further stated: “Automakers cannot rapidly restructure their supply chains, and increased costs will inevitably result in some combination of higher prices for consumers, reduced model availability, and potential shutdowns of U.S. production lines, leading to possible job losses throughout the supply chain.”