Ford says Trump's tariff threat 'like a family member stabbing you in the heart'
CBC
Ontario Premier Doug Ford said Tuesday that U.S. president-elect Donald Trump's threat to slap a 25 per cent tariff on all Canadian goods is "like a family member stabbing you right in the heart."
"It's the biggest threat we've ever seen ... It's unfortunate, its very, very hurtful to Canadians and Americans on both sides," Ford said to media at Queen's Park.
Ford stressed the roughly $500 billion in annual trade between Ontario and the U.S. and said, while the tariff would hurt the Canadian economy, it would also wreak havoc on American workers and employers.
He added Canada would have "no choice" but to retaliate if the incoming Trump administration went through with the tariff, which would also apply to Mexican goods.
Trump threatened the severe tariff in a post on social media platform Truth Social late Monday.
"This Tariff will remain in effect until such time as Drugs, in particular Fentanyl, and all Illegal Aliens stop this Invasion of our Country!" Trump wrote.
"Both Mexico and Canada have the absolute right and power to easily solve this long simmering problem. We hereby demand that they use this power, and until such time that they do, it is time for them to pay a very big price!"
Ford reacted almost immediately in a post on X, formerly Twitter, saying the tariff would be "devastating to workers and jobs in both Canada and the U.S." and calling on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to call an "urgent meeting" with provincial and territorial premiers.
"The federal government needs to take the situation at our border seriously. We need a Team Canada approach and response—and we need it now."
Trudeau spoke to Trump on the phone late Monday, and also held calls with Ford and Quebec Premier François Legault.
Trudeau said early Tuesday he intends to hold a meeting with provincial and territorial leaders on Wednesday afternoon to discuss the Canada-U.S. relationship.
In recent weeks, Ford has publicly advocated for a bilateral trade deal with the U.S. that would exclude Mexico before the scheduled review of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement in 2026.
Ford accused Mexico of serving as "a back door for Chinese cars, auto parts and other products" entering the North American market.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford said Tuesday that U.S. president-elect Donald Trump's threat to slap a 25 per cent tariff on all Canadian goods is "like a family member stabbing you right in the heart."
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