Ford says Ontario will push back on Trump tariff threat, urges Trudeau to take action

Ontario Premier Doug Ford is calling on the prime minister to take a threat from U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on tariffs seriously, but he says he is also planning action of his own.

Trump is threatening to impose a 25 per cent import tariff on goods coming from Canada and Mexico right after he takes office, saying they would remain in effect until Canada and Mexico stop illegal border crossings and prevent drugs like fentanyl from entering the U.S.

Ford says Trump’s comments comparing Canada to Mexico are insulting and adds that it feels like “a family member stabbing you right in the heart.”

Ford says he is pressing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to take action on border security, but he is also planning a “full-out campaign” to appeal directly to U.S. governors of states that do a lot of trade with Ontario.

The premier says many states and industries depend on resources such as energy and critical minerals from Ontario and Canada.

Ford says the province has produced a commercial that will be running in all jurisdictions in the U.S. with a message of being “stronger together.”