Ford backs Carney's retreat from U.S. trade deal, calls for strategic tariff retaliation

Premier Doug Ford says Prime Minister Mark Carney made the right decision walking away from what he called a bad trade deal for Ontario's auto and steel sectors.

"I thought it was a terrible deal and I was very clear with the Prime Minister, once you make these deals they can last for years and years and go into decades," Ford said Saturday.

In a letter sent to Carney on Aug. 17, Ford urged the Prime Minister to consider strategic tariffs on imports from "politically significant states" supporting the current U.S. administration, including Alabama, Florida, Texas and Wisconsin. "Products from these states should face the full force of Canada's response," Ford wrote, also calling for leverage through strategic assets like electricity and critical minerals.

Ford acknowledged the new tariffs will be painful but pointed to Ontario's recent economic performance, citing over 50,000 new jobs created in the province over the last four months. Without specifics, he said the provincial government will support workers affected by new tariffs.

"We need to support these sectors, we have to make sure that they're viable, not for the short term but for the long term, and I'm confident after speaking to CEOs of the auto sector, auto part manufacturers, Unifor, the unions, and the steel CEOs that we are in a strong position," Ford said.

He urged other premiers to "stick together" in a Team Canada approach against the Trump administration. "We have to use every tool in our tool box to make sure as Donald Trump is trying to inflict pain on every Canadian, that we inflict pain right back," he said.