Ontario premier backs Canada's retaliatory tariffs, calls for unified stance against U.S.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford publicly endorsed Prime Minister Mark Carney’s decision to impose retaliatory tariffs on the United States, calling it the “right thing” after Canada walked away from a trade negotiation. Speaking in Vaughan, Ford said Canada will “fight like we’ve never fought before” against President Trump and called for a unified “Team Canada” approach, noting that several provinces export electricity to the U.S. He also urged Ontario board chairs to buy from local companies rather than American ones, framing the dispute as a war to protect domestic interests.

Ford’s rhetoric follows a recent exchange of insults with Trump, who threatened 50 % tariffs on Canadian autos. The federal government announced matching counter-tariffs to begin on Sept. 8, targeting U.S. goods after the 50 % tariffs took effect on Saturday, affecting $28 billion of Canadian exports.