Ontario Premier urges Canada to hit back hard as U.S. imposes steep tariffs
Ontario Premier Doug Ford said Canada should maximize pressure on the United States after Washington announced high tariffs on Canadian goods.
After the United States announced significant tariffs on Canadian products, Ontario Premier Doug Ford called for Canada to use every possible lever to inflict pain on American interests. He reiterated Ontario's earlier move to keep U.S. liquor off LCBO shelves, a step that has already hurt American alcohol exports to Canada. Ford also revived the prospect of restricting electricity exports or adding surcharges for customers in Michigan, New York and Minnesota, noting that several other provinces also supply power south of the border.
Federal leaders have signaled a dollar-for-dollar retaliatory tariff regime set to begin the day after Labour Day, with specifics to be released shortly. Political scientists cited in the article suggest that both the liquor ban and the electricity threat could be effective bargaining tools, though they warn such measures may be one-time options. Ford’s confrontational rhetoric toward President Donald Trump has drawn mixed opinions from academics about its strategic value.
Why it matters
Ontario's tactics could shape the next phase of the U.S.-Canada trade dispute and affect cross-border goods and energy flows.
How this story developed
- Aug 11 Canadian trade minister meets U.S. counterpart again as tariff deadline looms
- Aug 23 Majumdar, the party’s shadow minister for Canada-U.S. relations, said the request does not seek secret negotiating tactics but material already known to Ottawa and Washington. He argued that transparency would enable a national discussion on the next steps. The trade talks ended after Prime Minister Mark Carney said the United States made demands that threatened Canadian sovereignty and key industries, prompting reciprocal tariffs to be announced.
- Aug 23 Negotiators met for a third day in Washington as the Saturday deadline approaches.
- Aug 24 Neel Kashkari warned the tariff dispute could prolong high inflation.
- Aug 24 The United States announced 50% tariffs on about $20 billion of Canadian imports.
- Aug 24 Legal experts argue the U.S. tariffs may violate congressional authority under the rarely used Section 338.
- Aug 24 Canada suspended all ongoing trade negotiations and recalled its negotiating team to Ottawa.
- Aug 24 President Donald Trump announced plans to raise tariffs on Canadian cars, trucks and auto parts to 50% beginning in 2027 after trade talks fell apart.
- Aug 24 Trump posted that a half‑percent tariff on Canadian vehicles, components and steel will begin next year.
- Aug 24 Trump warned he may impose 50% tariffs on Canadian automobiles, trucks, auto parts and steel beginning January 2027.
- Aug 25 Canada announced a domestic loan and benefit package while the United States moved to impose 50% tariffs on Canadian auto goods.
- Aug 25 U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer disclosed that the United States had offered Canada major tariff cuts before the negotiations collapsed.
- Aug 25 Ford suggested a possible 25% surcharge on electricity exports to the United States.
- Aug 25 Canada is preparing a counter‑tariff schedule to be unveiled in early September.
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