Ontario's Doug Ford takes aim at Trump after election win
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Doug Ford, Ontario's premier, speaks at a rally during the provincial election in Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada, on Thursday. Photo: Galit Rodan/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Ontario Premier Doug Ford said in claiming a third straight victory for his Progressive Conservatives in the province's election Thursday he'd been given a "mandate" to "stand up" to President Trump's threats to hit Canada with tariffs.
What he's saying: "Donald Trump thinks he can break us," said Ford, who called a snap election this month in response to Trump's threat to impose 25% tariffs on all Canadian and Mexican imports unless they tighten border security.
- "He thinks he can divide and conquer, pit region against region. Donald Trump doesn't know what we know. ... Let me be clear. Canada will never, ever be the 51st state. Canada is not for sale," he added, in reference to Trump's call for Canada's annexation.
- "As we stare down the threat of Donald Trump's tariffs … I will work with every level of government and every political stripe because fighting back against Donald Trump, standing up for Canada, it will take a full Team Ontario effort."
The big picture: Trump paused implementing the proposed tariffs until March 4 after announcing border security deals with Canadian and Mexican officials.
- Ford said Monday Ontario officials were "reviewing the cost of electricity we're sending" to the U.S. and if Trump "puts tariffs on anything in Canada or Ontario, they're getting a tariff on their electricity."
By the numbers: Canadian steel-producing hub Ontario is the top export destination for 17 U.S. states and it sent 82% of its products to its North American neighbor in 2023, according to data from the province.
Go deeper: Canada and Mexico tariffs still on, White House says, as markets whipsaw
