Doug Ford on additional Trump tariffs: Canadians will 'not back down'
Ontario Premier Doug Ford fired back at President Trump following his latest vow to double tariffs on steel and aluminum, saying during an interview that Canada will “not back down” and called on the commander in chief to shift his focus on China instead of the U.S.'s northern neighbor.
“We will not back down. We will be relentless. I apologize to the American people that President Trump decided to have an unprovoked attack on our country, on families, on jobs, and it’s unacceptable. Let’s work together. Let’s get to the table if he has issues, and let’s sort this out,” Ford said during his Tuesday appearance on MSNBC.
Ford warned that if the tariff war between Washington and Ottawa continues, factories in the U.S. could face shutdowns. The Ontario premier also urged Americans and business executives to speak out against the recent levies.
“You see the market tumbling. Consumer confidence is down, and if it continues on with this, the assembly plants in Michigan will shut down, and around the country, whoever makes autos as well as businesses, they are going to hurt and these pensions — when the market goes down, it’s going to affect people’s pensions, so I am not too sure why he continues to attack his closest friends and allies,” Ford said Tuesday.
“But we need the American people to speak up, we need the CEOs to actually get a backbone and stand in front of him and tell him that this is going to be a disaster,” the premier added.
Trump said Tuesday that he was doubling planned tariffs on Canada's steel and aluminum — from 25 percent to 50 percent — after Ontario’s government imposed an electricity surcharge a day earlier, affecting three U.S. states.
The commander in chief threatened to slap more levies against Ottawa, with his administration planning to implement reciprocal tariffs starting on April 2 on all nations that have a tax on U.S. goods. That would include an additional levy on cars, which the president said will “essentially, permanently shut down the automobile manufacturing business in Canada.”
Ontario said that a 25 percent surcharge on electricity exports will start Monday, affecting Michigan, New York and Minnesota. The additional tax will impact about 1.5 million homes and businesses and cost up to $400,000 per day.
Ford said Tuesday that the tariff back-and-forth will hurt U.S. manufacturing.
“You need the aluminum. You need our high-grade nickel, and I want to send more high-grade nickel. You need our electricity. You need the 4.3 million barrels of oil that gets shipped down. I want to — I want to make sure we build an Am-Can fortress,” Ford stated, adding that “fighting like this does not make sense, but I will respond appropriately. ... Stay tuned."
Trump appeared to dismiss Ontario’s recent electricity surcharge, contending Canada is a tariff “abuser” and that Washington will get its money back once the reciprocal levies kick into effect on April 2.
“Because our Tariffs are reciprocal, we’ll just get it all back on April 2. Canada is a Tariff abuser, and always has been, but the United States is not going to be subsidizing Canada any longer,” Trump wrote Monday night on Truth Social. “We don’t need your Cars, we don’t need your Lumber, we don’t your Energy, and very soon, you will find that out. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!!”
If both North American countries plunge into a recession, only Trump should be blamed, Ford said. He also said the two sides should resolve the trade seesaw through talks, as the prolonged fight will end up harming both American and Canadian families.
“And it's not just American and Canadian. It's going to affect the whole world. While China is ramping up for the last 10 years, as we've all been sleeping, they're taking over the critical mineral sector in the entire world,” Ford told MSNBC’s Ana Cabrera.
“But there's one area that has more critical minerals than anywhere in the world — that's Ontario, and I want to make sure it goes to our closest friends and allies and protect America and Canada,” he added.
-
Ontario Premier Doug Ford talks tariffs on Canadian energy
Ontario Premier Doug Ford spoke with NBC News' Tom Llamas about his decision to impose a 25% tariff on Canadian electricity exports to three U.S. states in response to U.S. President Donald Trump's ...NBC News - 1d -
Ontario's Premier Doug Ford moving ahead with tariffs on the U.S.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford will start tariffs directed at the United States on Monday, unless President Trump's threat of a trade war with Canada comes to an end.CBS News - 3d -
Ontario sets 25% surcharge on energy exports to US to counter Trump tariffs
Premier Doug Ford says province ‘won’t back down’ until US president retracts duties on Canada. The Canadian province of Ontario is imposing a 25% surcharge on electricity exports to the states ...The Guardian - 1d -
Canada backs down from 25% electricity surcharge after Trump threats
Ontario Premier Doug Ford said Tuesday he had agreed to suspend a 25% surcharge on electricity imports into the United States after having conversed with U.S.NBC News - 15h -
U.S. makes concession, dropping additional 25 percent tariff on steel & aluminum: Ontario premier
Ontario Premier Doug Ford joins Meet the Press NOW to discuss his decisions to lift the 25% surcharge on electricity exports after speaking with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. It comes after ...NBC News - 9h -
Ontario premier says he needs 'to sit down as quickly as possible' with Trump on tariffs
Ontario Premier Doug Ford said Monday that he needs "to sit down as quickly as possible" with President Trump regarding tariffs. ‘We're seeing inflation happening already, and it's unnecessary. We ...The Hill - 1d -
Trump retreats from 50% tariffs on Canadian metals. Here’s what comes next.
President Donald Trump on Tuesday backed off a 50% tariff on imports of Canadian steel and aluminum, ratcheting down a threat against a major U.S. trading partner on another day of whiplash for ...MarketWatch - 5h -
Markets open down again, Trump announces more tariffs against Canada
Traders on Wall Street hoping to rally back after Monday's major selloff are starting Tuesday with another dip. Meanwhile, President Trump has announced additional tariffs for Canada. CBS News' ...CBS News - 15h -
Trudeau steps down as tariff dispute continues
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stepped down Sunday. Meanwhile, the back-and-forth over tariffs continued. Ed O'Keefe reports.CBS News - 2d -
Trudeau steps down as tariff dispute continues
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stepped down Sunday. Meanwhile, the back-and-forth over tariffs continued. Ed O'Keefe reports.CBS News - 2d -
Trump Pulls Back Plans to Double Canadian Metal Tariffs After Ontario Relents
The president had threatened to hit Canadian metals with 50 percent tariffs but opted not to go ahead after Ontario lifted a charge on U.S. electricity.The New York Times - 5h -
Ontario's Doug Ford warns of 'Trump recession,' threatens electrical shutoff to U.S.
Trump said that if Canada cuts off electricity exports to the United States as part of the ongoing trade war "they will pay a financial price for this."CNBC - 13h -
Canadians drop their politeness in the wake of Trump's tariffs
President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Canadian goods are eroding the inherent politeness of Americans’ northern neighbors and rallying them around their own flag.NBC News - 4d -
Trump says he's doubling tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum to 50%
President Trump said that he will impose even higher tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum imports beginning on Wednesday.CBS News - 15h -
Trump doubles tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum; floats 51st state again
Trump adds another 25% to tariff on Canadian steel and aluminum as the trade war between the countries continues to escalate.ABC News - 11h -
Trump on Canadian electricity surcharge: 'We'll just get it all back on April 2'
President Trump seemingly brushed off the recent electricity surcharge placed on the U.S. by Ontario, accusing Canada of being a tariff "abuser" and claiming the U.S. would get the money back when ...The Hill - 15h -
Republicans warn Trump not to let trade war drag as he doubles down on tariff threats
Senate Republicans are warning President Trump to not let his trade war drag on as his latest escalation sent Wall Street further into turmoil. Trump on Tuesday threatened to double tariffs on ...The Hill - 6h -
Trump backs down on 50% steel and aluminium tariffs on Canada
U-turn comes after province of Ontario removes surcharge for power exports to the US but 25% levies to still take effectFinancial Times - 8h -
Canadians deal with tariff threats amid Trudeau successor battle
As President Trump threatens tariffs on the Canadian dairy and lumber industry — while holding off on broader tariffs on goods covered under the USMCA until April — Canadians are also dealing with ...CBS News - 2d -
China to impose retaliatory tariffs on some Canadian products as trade war heats up
China on Saturday announced retaliatory tariffs on Canadian agricultural goods, hitting back after Ottawa slapped import duties on Chinese-made EVs.CNBC - 4d -
Noem aware Mexican, Canadian leaders have own 'political environments,' but Trump 'means business' on tariffs
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said on Sunday that she knows Mexican and Canadian leaders have their own “political environments” but that President Trump “means business” on ...The Hill - 2d -
Trump won't double Canadian tariffs after Ontario suspends electricity surcharge
There has been quite a bit of tariff whiplash on Tuesday between the U.S. and Canada.CBS News - 5h -
Trump doubles down on tariffs threat amid market downturn
President Trump is doubling down on his widespread tariffs threats despite a stock market downturn that has helped fuel anxiety the nation could slide into a recession. Trump escalated the tit for ...The Hill - 9h -
Canadians show their displeasure with President Trump
President Trump took aim at dairy and lumber imports from Canada, but the U.S.'s northern neighbor is fighting back. Ed O'Keefe reports on the latest in the tumultuous trade war.CBS News - 3d -
Trump, Ontario ease tariff threats
Welcome to The Hill's Business & Economy newsletter {beacon} Business & Economy Business & Economy The Big Story Trump nixes plans for tariffs on Canadian steel President Trump scrapped plans ...The Hill - 7h -
"Canadians are frustrated with our neighbors," ambassador Kirsten Hillman says
Kirsten Hillman, the Canadian ambassador to the U.S., tells "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan" that amid the ongoing war of words over tariffs with President Trump, "Canadians are frustrated ...CBS News - 2d -
Trump Tariffs and Trade Wars Leave Investors, Once Optimistic, Feeling Apprehensive
On Tuesday, President Trump sent markets into another tailspin by announcing additional tariffs on Canada, suggesting a falling stock market is no longer the bulwark investors had hoped.The New York Times - 10h -
Trump Tariffs and Trade Wars Leave Investors, Once Optimistic, Feeling Apprehensive
On Tuesday, President Trump sent markets into another tailspin by announcing additional tariffs on Canada, suggesting a falling stock market is no longer the bulwark investors had hoped.The New York Times - 9h -
Trump will not impose 50% Canadian steel, aluminum tariffs tomorrow, says top trade advisor
President Donald Trump also declared that if Canada does not lift other tariffs on the U.S., he will "substantially increase" auto import tariffs next month.CNBC - 7h -
Trump makes new Mexico, Canada tariffs threat as UAW leader backs his policy
Shawn Fain, the president of the United Auto Workers union, is backing President Trump's tariffs strategy. This comes as President Trump says tariffs against Canada and Mexico could rise in the ...CBS News - 1d -
Explaining the stock market uncertainty amid tariff back-and-forths with Canada
Economic uncertainty looms over Wall Street after a back-and-forth between the U.S. and Canada on tariffs. On Wednesday, the U.S. will impose 25% tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports. CBS ...CBS News - 6h -
Ontario slaps 25% increase on electricity exports to the U.S. in response to Trump's trade war
Ontario is charging 25% more for electricity to 1.5 million Americans in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade war, the province's premier, Doug Ford, said.NBC News - 1d -
US lumber prices slide on Trump’s Canadian tariffs delay
Futures close to record high after US orders investigation into dumping practicesFinancial Times - 2d -
Commerce secretary says Trump's policies are "worth it" even if they lead to recession
President Trump backed off doubling Canadian steel and aluminum tariffs after Ontario suspended a 25% electricity surcharge on several U.S. states. Nancy Cordes talked to Commerce Secretary Howard ...CBS News - 6h -
Misty Copeland Is Not Backing Down From DEI Amid Trump Pushback
The boundary-breaking ballet dancer and serial entrepreneur says this debate is not about acronyms. It’s about peoples’ lives.Inc. - 1d -
Canadians believe that Mark Carney is the man to stand up to Donald Trump | Colin Horgan
The newly appointed Liberal leader is likely to call a federal election to bolster his mandate, but Canadians seem to see him as the best bet to counter US tariffs. When Mark Carney took the job as ...The Guardian - 1d -
Ontario's Ford suspends U.S. electric surcharge after Lutnick agrees to trade talks
President Donald Trump has said he will impose a 25% tariff on goods imported from Canada beginning April 2.CNBC - 7h -
U.S. farmers react to China's retaliatory tariff increase
China slapped an additional 15% import tax on American farm products, including pork, poultry, beef and soybeans. Lana Zak reports from Mount Vernon, Iowa. Then, Ed O'Keefe has the latest on ...CBS News - 1d -
Australia’s record gold exports to US set back its case for tariff relief as Trump trade war looms
Industries across the country are bracing for the impact of the Trump administration’s worldwide tariff regime. Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast A run on gold in ...The Guardian - 16h
More from The Hill
-
Judge declines to block DOGE from taking over African development agency
A federal judge on Tuesday declined to block the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from taking over the U.S. African Development Foundation (USADF). U.S. District Judge Richard Leon ...The Hill - 1h -
Lutnick says Trump tariffs 'worth it' even if they lead to recession
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said Tuesday that President Trump’s tariff policies will be worth it, even if the economy ends up in a recession. In an interview that aired Tuesday, CBS News’s ...The Hill - 2h -
Democrat wins special election for Minnesota state House seat
Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) candidate David Gottfried is projected to win a special election for a seat in the Minnesota House, according to Decision Desk HQ. Gottfried, a pro bono ...The Hill - 2h -
GOP Rep. Mark Harris says Trump has done 'tremendous job' making case against Education Department
Rep. Mark Harris (R-N.C.) said on Tuesday that President Trump successfully made the case against the Department of Education during his 2024 campaign, leading more Republicans to support the ...The Hill - 2h -
Sununu on possible Senate bid: 'I have not ruled it out completely'
Former New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu (R) said he is considering running for Senate after previously rejecting the possibility. “I have not ruled it out completely, but folks in Washington have ...The Hill - 4h
More in Politics
-
Judge declines to block DOGE from taking over African development agency
A federal judge on Tuesday declined to block the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from taking over the U.S. African Development Foundation (USADF). U.S. District Judge Richard Leon ...The Hill - 1h -
Lutnick says Trump tariffs 'worth it' even if they lead to recession
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said Tuesday that President Trump’s tariff policies will be worth it, even if the economy ends up in a recession. In an interview that aired Tuesday, CBS News’s ...The Hill - 2h -
Democrat wins special election for Minnesota state House seat
Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) candidate David Gottfried is projected to win a special election for a seat in the Minnesota House, according to Decision Desk HQ. Gottfried, a pro bono ...The Hill - 2h -
GOP Rep. Mark Harris says Trump has done 'tremendous job' making case against Education Department
Rep. Mark Harris (R-N.C.) said on Tuesday that President Trump successfully made the case against the Department of Education during his 2024 campaign, leading more Republicans to support the ...The Hill - 2h -
USAID staff instructed to clear out classified safes and shred or burn documents
"Shred as many documents first, and reserve the burn bags for when the shredder becomes unavailable or needs a break," the email reads.CBS News - 3h