Ford calls Trump’s tariff decision ‘unjustified, unfair and illegal’

Ontario Premier Doug Ford says Donald Trump’s decision to impose tariffs on Canada is “unjustified, unfair and frankly illegal.”

Ford was speaking to CNN Saturday night after Trump declared an economic emergency in order to place duties of 25 per cent on imports from Canada while oil, natural gas and electricity, would be taxed at a 10 per cent rate.

Earlier in the day, Ford warned of difficult times ahead if the tariff threats became reality and he reiterated during the interview how it will be bad news for both economies.

“We’re you’re closest ally and trading partner, your largest export destination 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,” he said.

Ford confirmed that Canada would take retaliatory measures but would not get into specifics, saying he was leaving that for the Prime Minister to announce.

“It’s unfortunate, we don’t want to do it. We’d rather have a strong trading partner with the U.S.,” said Ford. “What President Trump underestimates is the resilience of the Canadian people, the strength of the Canadian people. No matter what political stripe we’re united.”

The Trump administration says the tariffs in necessary to force China, Mexico and Canada to stop the spread and manufacturing of fentanyl, in addition to pressuring Canada and Mexico to limit any illegal immigration into the United States.

Ford said it was “disturbing” that Trump was lumping Canada in with Mexico and China when it comes to the fentanyl issue.

“There’s over 9,600 kilos of fentanyl coming from Mexico. Ours is 19 kilos which is too much but which is 0.001 per cent of fentanyl coming into the U.S.,” said Ford, who pointed out that 95 per cent of all illegal guns coming into Canada are coming from the United States.

“I can tell the American people, Canada is not the problem.”.

Ford went on to remind Americans of the shared history of cooperation between the two countries and how the United States depends on Canada and its exports.

“We’re the number one export destination for 28 states across the country. Ontario alone, we’re the number one trading partner, number one customer for 17 states and number two to 11 others,” he said.

“The U.S. is reliant on our crude oil, on our uranium, on our potash, on our high-grade nickel, on our electricity. Ontario powers 1.5 million homes, keeps the lights on in New York, in Michigan, in Minnesota, and many other areas.”

Ford stressed again that tariffs would hurt the economies of both countries, saying the duties would make Americans poorer and cause U.S. inflation to rise.

“It’s going to be terrible. It’s going to really hurt both economies.”

Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie called out Trump for declaring war on Ontarians and Ford for calling an early election.

“He called this election knowing this day might come. Gambling with people’s livelihoods in the hopes it would win him more votes,” she said in a statement. “We should not be in this election. We need to fight back. We need to grow stronger by getting the basics right here at home.”

Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles, who has been critical of Ford for calling an early provincial election in the face of the tariff threat, stressed the need for unity.

“We have to defend every single job and fight back hard. We need to make sure people can keep a roof over their heads and keep putting food on the table,” she said in a statement.

“Every province must stand together alongside the federal government in our response. We can never let Trump divide us within Canada, or divide us for our allies across the world.”