Ontario Premier Doug Ford says the federal government and some premiers have prepared a list of retaliatory tariffs in response to U.S. tariff threats. The proposal will be discussed at a meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Ottawa on Jan. 15.
Ford made the remarks after a meeting of the premiers on Jan. 8, where they discussed how to respond to the looming tariff threats from U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, who is set to take office on Jan. 20. Ford said his province has a “strong list” of retaliatory tariffs and that other premiers and Ottawa also had lists of their own, but said he would not reveal details to avoid “showing our cards” to the United States.
“I don’t think it’s strategic for Canadians or Ontarians to hand out the list and it gets right down to the U.S. government,” Ford said. “Let’s see what happens on Jan. 20, and we’ll make sure we disclose the list after we see the tariffs out there planning to [be] put on Canada.”
In past trade disputes with the United States, Ottawa has targeted U.S. steel and aluminum products, food, household items, and appliances with tariffs.
Trump has threatened to slap a 25 percent tariff on all imports coming from Canada unless the country addresses the flow of illegal immigration and drugs at the border. Trump on Jan. 7 doubled down on his promise to impose tariffs on Canada when he takes office, and said he would consider using “economic force” to merge Canada with the United States.
Trade Mission to Washington Set for February
Ford said a group of premiers will travel to Washington, D.C., on Feb. 12 to meet with U.S. elected officials and discuss trade. He said Ontario will lead the talks, and other premiers will arrange meetings with U.S. contacts with whom they have built relationships.
“We are going down there to speak to the American people, to speak to the elected officials down there that can get into the ear, at that time, of President Trump,” Ford said. He noted it’s uncertain whether they’ll be able to meet with the White House.
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Ford also said there appears to be “a little split” between what Trump is saying and what some premiers have heard from U.S. elected officials. “I am not hearing the same tone from governors, senators, and congresspeople, and my fellow premiers aren’t hearing the same tone as well,” he said.
Ford said he has heard from U.S. elected officials that Canada’s message is getting through to Trump. “He is hearing our message loud and clear,” Ford said, highlighting the “positive” message conveyed by Ontario’s advertising campaign launched over the holidays, emphasizing mutual cooperation.
British Columbia’s David Eby and Quebec’s François Legault are among the premiers who will join the trade mission to Washington.
‘Lack of Leadership’
Ford said he has not received any feedback from the federal government on the plan his province announced on Jan 8. to create an Ontario-U.S. energy systems alliance in a bid to avoid the trade war.
“I haven’t heard from them,” he said. “There is a lack of leadership right now in Ottawa.”
Trudeau announced on Jan. 6 he would be resigning as prime minister once the Liberal Party has elected a new leader. Trudeau also prorogued Parliament, shielding the government from being toppled by a non-confidence vote from opposition parties and creating a window for the Liberal Party to run a leadership race.
Some premiers like Alberta’s Danielle Smith have criticized the move, saying the uncertainty over who will lead the country leaves Canada in a vulnerable negotiating position.
In his Jan. 8 address, Ford said the premiers have a “strong plan” but looks forward to learning where “the federal government stands right now” when they meet with Trudeau next week.
“We want ongoing conversations, weekly updates, from the federal government, be it the prime minister or Minister LeBlanc,” he said.
Following the premiers meeting on Jan. 8, Quebec’s Legault said he expressed his concern regarding the current situation in Ottawa.
“I reiterated the importance of having a more detailed plan for the borders and measures to prevent people from entering Canada under false pretenses,” Legault wrote in a social media post, adding that his province intended to take part in discussions with the United States.
Earlier that day, Legault called on Quebec to “keep a cool head” as the U.S. president-elect doubled down on his threats against Canada, but said Trump’s comments about Canada, retaking the Panama Canal, and claiming Greenland “must be taken seriously.”
“Mr. Trump will use every opportunity at his disposal to increase his leverage,” Legault wrote. “It is certain that we would like to have less uncertainty in the federal government at the moment. But Quebec and the rest of Canada are not without means of action.”
Noé Chartier contributed to this report.
