Ontario Premier Doug Ford cautioned that Donald Trump might demand a difficult review of the trade deal between the U.S. and Canada. BNN Bloomberg
Ontario Premier Doug Ford has raised concerns about possible trade trouble ahead. He warned that former U.S. President Donald Trump may push hard against Canada if he returns to power. Ford said Trump will likely take an aggressive stance when it’s time to revisit the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA).
“Fasten your seatbelts,” Ford told reporters on Wednesday. “He’s coming at us hard.”
The trade deal isn't up for talks until next year. But Ford believes Trump might try to shake things up earlier. “He could pull the carpet out from underneath us in November,” Ford warned.
Not an Easy Process
Ford didn’t try to hide his worries. “This isn’t gonna be a church picnic,” he said, making it clear he expects a tough battle ahead.
He spoke after meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney and other provincial leaders. They had gathered to discuss how Canada will respond to growing trade tensions.
Ford said he didn’t know if Carney and Trump had a call planned. Still, he expected talks between the two would happen soon.
Push for Local Production
Ford urged Canada to make more things at home. He said producing goods locally would help protect the economy. He also called for tax and interest rate cuts. Ford believes these moves can boost business and jobs.
“We should use more Canadian steel and local materials,” he said.
He admitted he hopes for a smooth path forward. But he asked Canadians to think carefully: “Do you trust President Trump? I don’t. Do you?”
Tariffs Still a Hot Topic
Earlier that day, Ford shared his support for Canada’s plan to fight back against U.S. tariffs. But he didn’t go into detail. He simply said talks with top officials were “confidential.”
Ford confirmed he had spoken to Prime Minister Carney, Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc, and U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.
“I had good talks with all of them,” he said. “We’re moving forward with a solid plan.”
Ford said Canada must act from a strong position. “We need dollar-for-dollar tariffs,” he explained. “They respect strength, not weakness.”
No Conflict With Carney
Despite calling for stronger pushback, Ford said he supports the prime minister’s approach. “We might disagree on small things, but we’re a team,” he said.
Ford also pointed out that U.S. companies, especially in the auto sector, are feeling the pressure. Job losses and rising costs in the U.S. are signs, he said, that the tariffs are backfiring.
“He said tariffs would bring growth and jobs,” Ford recalled of Trump. “I said it would be a disaster—and it is.”
