Donald Trump’s tariffs often seem to make little sense to anyone but himself, and now Ontario Premier Doug Ford is weighing in with his own opinion.
According to CBC, Ford made a statement during a visit to Queen’s Park in Toronto, addressing Trump’s recent claim that Canada’s products would face a 25% tariff. Why, you ask? Trump explained that the tariff would remain in place until issues like fentanyl trafficking and illegal immigration—what he calls “an invasion”—are stopped. In response, Ford said Ontario would retaliate by halting energy supplies to 1.5 million homes in U.S. states like New York, Michigan, and Minnesota. However, he clarified that this would only be a “last resort.”
Ford made it clear that if Ontario is attacked economically, they will fight back in whatever way they can to protect the livelihoods of Canadians. This came shortly after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s meeting with Trump.
Some social media users seemed to back Ford’s stance, with one U.S. resident commenting on a CTV News TikTok saying, “I support you on this.” Others were surprised to see Ford, who is often criticized for his decisions, making sense in this situation.
Trump, for his part, shrugged off Ford’s threat. He told CNBC that if Ford follows through, that’s fine, adding that the U.S. and Canada have “a great relationship,” but that the U.S. has been “subsidizing Canada.” However, other Canadian leaders like Quebec Premier François Legault, Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey, and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith disagreed with Ford’s approach.
Ford, who became Ontario’s Premier after a stint on the Toronto City Council alongside his late brother Rob Ford, is no stranger to controversial decisions. He has made headlines for things like introducing license plates that were impossible to read at night and his “Buck-a-Beer” plan that ironically ended up raising beer prices. He’s also proposed relocating the Ontario Science Center, because who needs a cool science museum when there are more important issues to focus on, right? On a personal note, Ford made a memorable appearance in my journalism school class on the day his brother Rob publicly admitted to smoking crack.
Ford and Trump share some key traits—both are conservative, prone to fiery rhetoric, and have a flair for making memorable comments. For example, Ford once sarcastically suggested sending people who partied during COVID-19 to get an MRI of their brains, making it clear that he can dish out insults just like Trump. And just like Trump, Ford also has a soft spot for McDonald’s—he once joked that some people were “a few fries short of a happy meal.” But Ford also has some more wholesome qualities, like his cherry cheesecake baking skills.
So, what comes next? Will Ford really follow through on his energy supply threat if Trump goes ahead with the 25% tariff? It’s hard to say, but Ford did stress that it would be a “last resort.” Given how unpredictable both men are, it’s anyone’s guess if they’ll actually take these extreme measures. But if we’ve learned anything from Trump’s presidency, it’s that the unexpected can always happen.