Ford demands other premiers 'step up' against Trump's 50% tariff threat on Canada

Ontario Premier Doug Ford said he needs his fellow premiers and Prime Minister Mark Carney to be "more vocal" in response to U.S. President Donald Trump's latest tariff threat.

As premiers gathered in Charlottetown this week, Ford was the most aggressive in condemning Trump's move to impose 50 per cent tariffs on dozens of Canadian goods, set to be enforced next month. "We need a Team Canada approach led by the prime minister and if he doesn't want to lead it with the other other premiers, then I can't do it alone. I feel some days that I'm standing alone protecting Canada and I need everyone else to get onside," Ford said's Power & Politics.

Ford reiterated calls for Canada to cut off energy exports to the U.S. as leverage. "We are an energy powerhouse and we could dismantle the U.S. if we wanted to," he told reporters. He argued that "everything's on the table" in negotiations. "You have to negotiate through strength, not weakness and that's the only thing that President Trump respects," Ford said.

However, other premiers took a different stance. New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt suggested leveraging energy is one of several tools Canada could use "should we need them." Alberta's Danielle Smith said withholding energy is "not going to happen." Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe flatly rejected using potash and energy as a leverage point, and Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette said she's "not there."

Ontario would be one of the harder hit provinces if the 50 per cent duties go through. Despite suggestions that others take a stronger stance, Ford rejected the idea that a Team Canada approach is fraying. "Make no mistake about it. We all get along very, very well," he said. The premier said it will be "critical" for Carney to lead Team Canada in response.