Ontario Premier Doug Ford has sharply criticized President Donald Trump’s decision to impose steep tariffs on Canadian imports, calling the move “unfair,” “illegal,” and “disappointing.” The tariffs, which include a 25% levy on most Canadian goods and a 10% tariff on Canadian oil, have sparked outrage across Canada and raised fears of economic fallout on both sides of the border.
In a CNN interview on Saturday, Ford expressed his frustration with the Trump administration’s decision, which he said violates the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and undermines the strong trade relationship between the two nations.
READ: Trump Signs Sweeping Tariffs On Mexico, Canada, And China
“It’s unfair, and frankly, it was illegal, breaking a deal that we had with the USMCA,” Ford said. “Canada and Canadians love the U.S. I love the U.S. I love the American people. We’re your closest ally and trading partner, the largest in the entire world. This is going to hurt Americans. It’s going to hurt Canadians. We’re going to see inflation happen down in the U.S. and in Canada, and it’s unjustified.”
Ford confirmed that Canada will respond with retaliatory tariffs on American goods, a move he described as unfortunate but necessary. “We’ll have retaliatory measures. It’s unfortunate. We don’t want to do it,” he said. “We’d rather have a strong trading partner with the U.S., build a North American fortress, ship down more products, more critical minerals, more oil. That’s what we want to do.”
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is expected to announce the specifics of the retaliatory tariffs in the coming hours. Ford emphasized that the measures will be targeted and proportional, aimed at protecting Canadian industries and workers while sending a clear message to the U.S. about the importance of fair trade.
READ: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth Issues Guidance: “Identity Months Dead At DoD”
The tariffs, which Trump signed into effect via executive order on Saturday, have raised concerns about rising inflation and economic instability in both countries. Ford warned that the tariffs will harm American consumers and businesses just as much as they hurt Canadians.
“It’s going to make Americans poor. It’s going to create inflation. It’s going to make Canadians poor,” Ford said. “All we’re saying is let’s work together. Please do not lump us in with Mexico and China. We’re your closest ally, your number one customer, and we’ve stood shoulder to shoulder with you on many, many different fronts.”
Trump’s executive order cited the flow of fentanyl across the northern border as a key justification for the tariffs. However, Ford dismissed this reasoning as a “false equivalency,” pointing to data showing that the vast majority of fentanyl entering the U.S. comes from Mexico and China, not Canada.
“U.S. Customs is very clear. There’s over 9,600 kilos of fentanyl coming from Mexico. Ours is 19 kilos, which is too much, but it’s 0.001% of fentanyl compared to Mexico,” Ford said. “The problem is the Mexican border and China. That’s where the problem is.”
READ: Border Czar Tom Homan Warns Why Violence At Southern Border Could Get Worse
Ford also highlighted the flow of illegal drugs and firearms from the U.S. into Canada, noting that 95% of illegal guns used in crimes in Canada originate in the U.S. “Let’s work together. Let’s work collaboratively and protect our borders on both sides,” he urged.
Despite the challenges posed by the tariffs, Ford expressed confidence in Canada’s ability to weather the storm. “President Trump underestimates the resilience of the Canadian people, the strength of the Canadian people,” he said. “No matter what political stripe you come from in Canada, we’re a united country, and we’re a proud country.”
Ford also emphasized the deep economic ties between Canada and the U.S., noting that Canada is the number one export destination for 28 U.S. states and that Ontario alone supports 9 million American jobs. “We do $500 billion of trade on both sides of the border, split equally down the center,” he said. “Why President Trump would want to attack his largest customer, his largest trading partner, his closest ally, is beyond me.”
READ: U.S. Military Strikes ISIS In Somalia, Marking First Under Trump’s Second Term
As Canada prepares to implement retaliatory tariffs, the focus now shifts to the potential long-term impact on the U.S.-Canada relationship. Ford called for a return to collaboration and mutual respect, urging the Trump administration to reconsider its approach.
“We’re stronger together,” Ford said. “We need to work together. We’re the strongest nations in the world if we work together. The U.S. is reliant on our crude oil, our uranium, our potash, our high-grade minerals. We keep the lights on in New York, Michigan, Minnesota, and many other areas. Let’s protect our economies, protect our people, and protect our communities.”
For now, the tariffs have set the stage for a tense standoff between the two nations, with economic consequences that could ripple across North America and beyond.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.