With President-elect Donald Trump set to be sworn in as the next President of the United States in two weeks, Premier Doug Ford has issued a strong warning about the economic risks posed by Trump’s proposed tariffs on Canada. In a statement following the recent Council of the Federation meeting, Ford called on the federal government to take immediate and decisive action to protect Canadian workers and families.
Ford emphasized that the imposition of tariffs by the U.S. would be a “significant failure” on the part of Ottawa, underscoring the urgent need for strategies to safeguard Canada’s economy. “The federal government needs to do everything humanly possible to avoid these tariffs,” said Ford. “This includes doing more to secure our border and offering a credible plan to invest more in Canada’s military to meet and exceed our NATO spending commitments.”
The Premier’s statement reflects a unified stance among provincial leaders. At the Council of the Federation meeting, Canada’s premiers expressed collective concern over the economic impact of potential U.S. tariffs, which could disrupt trade, damage industries, and lead to job losses across the country.
Ford stressed that the federal government must prioritize stability and strength during this period of uncertainty. “Now more than ever, the interests of Canadian workers and families need to come before political or party ambitions,” he said. “Canada needs to demonstrate stability and strength at this critical moment.”
The Premier also urged Ottawa to present a clear and transparent plan to Canadians detailing how it will prevent the tariffs from being enacted. “Canadians deserve to know what steps are being taken to protect their livelihoods,” Ford added. “We cannot afford to leave this to chance.”
President-elect Trump has repeatedly threatened to impose sweeping tariffs as part of his ‘America First’ economic agenda, raising fears of a trade war that could devastate Canada’s export-driven economy. With Canada and the U.S. deeply intertwined through trade agreements, particularly the recently renegotiated United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), the potential fallout from new tariffs could be severe.
Political analysts have noted that Ford’s comments add pressure on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government to ramp up diplomatic efforts ahead of Trump’s inauguration. Industry leaders have also echoed Ford’s concerns, calling for proactive negotiations to preserve Canada’s trade relationships.
As the federal government weighs its options, Ford made it clear that provincial leaders will continue to advocate for the economic security of their constituents. “We need action, and we need it now,” he said.
With the inauguration fast approaching, all eyes will be on Ottawa to see how it responds to the growing concerns surrounding Canada-U.S. trade relations.
