Premier Doug Ford is warning Ontarians to brace for the impact of Donald Trump‘s tariffs — and signalling Canada will hit back hard, including by removing American booze from LCBO stores.
In a campaign-style speech Monday to delegates at the Rural Ontario Municipal Association conference, Ford emphasized that tumultuous times are looming.
“We can’t ignore the uncertain times we are facing right now,” the premier said at the Sheraton Centre conference.
“In a matter of hours, President Trump takes office in Washington, D.C and we have all heard his threats to impose major tariffs on Ontario exports,” he said of the incoming American president’s proposed 25 per cent levies on all Canadian and Mexican goods.
“This would be an absolute disaster for Canadian and American workers. In our agri-food sector alone in 2023, more than $45 billion in two-way trade was carried out between the U.S. and Ontario,” said Ford.
“Our economies our linked together and unnecessary U.S. tariffs will hurt workers on both sides of the border.”
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, Ford 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 toolkit.”
That’s a message shared by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and all the other premiers except Smith.
In a surprise announcement Monday, Ford said the U.S. “will feel the pain” because he will ask the LCBO to “clear off every bit of U.S. alcohol off the shelves” of the Crown liquor monopoly, which is one of the world’s largest purchasers of American booze.
The premier said he spoke recently with Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, whose state produces bourbon that is exported around the world.
“I said, ‘Governor, that’s a serious business down there … you’ve got to talk to your president because the first thing we’re doing is we’re getting the bourbon,’” he said.
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.
But Ford emphasized “it shouldn’t have to come to this and I hope it doesn’t.”
Most of the premier’s speech to ROMA delegates focused on highlighting his Progressive Conservative government’s record on rural issues.
It comes 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.
