When asked about Canada’s overall perception of President Donald Trump, Premier Doug Ford of Ontario didn’t hold back.
Trump’s broad tariffs, which began at a baseline rate of 10%, went into effect on dozens of countries on Thursday shortly after midnight ET. According to Yale Budget Lab, a neutral policy research group, the average effective tariff rate rose to more than 18%, the largest levy on foreign imports since 1934.
Complete agreements with some of the United States’ most important trading partners, such as Canada, which is subject to a 35% tariff, have not yet been completed.
In an interview with CNN’s Wolf Blitzer, Ford referred to Trump as likely the world’s most despised politician among Canadians.
“We view it that way because he has attacked his closest family member,” Ford stated.
Ford claimed to have had conversations with members of the Senate and House, adding that even Republicans strongly disagree but are afraid to speak out for fear of being targeted by the president.
“We adore Americans,” Ford remarked. It is regrettable that President Trump chose this course of action.
Ford highlighted that he would much prefer work with the United States to grow the number of employment in both nations, citing the $40 billion in investment his province received last year.
“Our objective is to become the two most economically powerful countries in the world,” he stated. Regretfully, though, President Trump is unwilling to pursue that path. He is accomplishing exactly what he intends to do—damage the American people.
Regarding Canadian perceptions of Trump, Doug Ford said, “He’s probably the most disliked politician in the world in Canada.”Twitter: pic.twitter.com/wxjtpKUpkW
In response to Trump’s most recent tariff decision, Ford met with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and other premiers on Wednesday. Goods covered by the 2020 Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), which was negotiated during his first term, are not subject to the new tariff rate.
Ford cautioned that Trump will probably attack us with both barrels rather than wait for a planned review of the deal that is set for next year.
After the discussion, Ford warned reporters, “We had better be prepared and throw everything and the kitchen sink at this.”
Additionally, Ford has renewed his demands for retaliatory tariffs on the US.
Tariffs on one side and not the other are incompatible. Dollar for dollar, tariff for tariff, I still stand by my statements. According to Ford, we should never, ever roll over and be weak because they understand strength, not weakness.
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