Premier Doug Ford warns Ontarians still must gird for eventual Donald Trump tariffs even though the new president is holding off on levies against Canadian products for now.
“He’s just adding more uncertainty: ‘I may not do it today, I may do it tomorrow, maybe I’ll do it a month.’ That doesn’t help,” Ford told CityNews Monday after reports surfaced that tariffs will only be studied for the time being.
“So we’re going to take him seriously. He’s just added more uncertainty to the whole situation we’re facing right now,” the premier said.
Asked by CityNews if he were relieved by word the tariffs are coming immediately, Ford shook his head.
“No, it’s not a relief at all because he’s saying he’s going to review it and he’s going to end up doing it. What a relief is: ‘I’m not doing any tariffs at all.’ That’s what we need to hear and he’s not saying it right now.”
Earlier Monday, Ford told delegates at the Rural Ontario Municipal Association conference he was prepared to remove American booze from LCBO stores if Trump slaps levies on Canadian products.
The premier said the U.S. “will feel the pain” because he would instruct the Crown liquor monopoly, one of the world’s largest purchasers of American booze, to “clear off every bit of U.S. alcohol off the shelves.”
Noting he spoke recently with Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, whose state produces bourbon exported around the world, Ford said he told him: “‘you’ve got to talk to your president because the first thing we’re doing is we’re getting the bourbon.’”
It is unclear if Beshear, a Democrat who campaigned against Trump in last November’s U.S. election, will be able to persuade the new president to hold off on tariffs — even though the Republican won Kentucky handily.
While Ford emphasized “it shouldn’t have to come to this and I hope it doesn’t,” he said Canada must be prepared to fight back.
In sharp contrast to Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, who has sought a “carve out” from tariffs for her province’s oil and gas exports and opposes retaliatory tariffs, he said Canada must stand up to the new U.S. administration.
“I promise you as premier of Ontario that if President Trump’s tariffs make retaliation necessary, I will stand shoulder to shoulder with the rest of Team Canada to fight back using every tool in our tool kit.”
That’s a message shared by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and all the other premiers except Smith.
Ford’s comments come against the backdrop of a possible snap election call as early as next week — even though the next provincial vote is scheduled for June 2026.
The premier, who already has a majority in the legislature, has said he may require a new mandate if Trump goes forward with tariffs because he would need to spend tens of billions of dollars on stimulus spending.
Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie said Ford “has spent the 76 days since Trump was re-elected preparing for an unnecessary early election rather than coming up with a plan to help you and your family.”
“Doug Ford is selfishly creating chaos to justify going to the polls a year-and-a-half early for one reason: to outrun an RCMP investigation into his Greenbelt scandal,” said Crombie.
“Right now in Ontario, unemployment is already at a 10-year high. Taxes are far too high. There are 2.5 million people waiting for a family doctor. Evictions and defaults are rampant because homes are unaffordable. A million people are using food banks and a record number of people in Ontario are homeless.”
