TORONTO — In response to President-elect Donald Trump’s proposed 25% tariffs on all Canadian products, the Premier of Ontario, Doug Ford, expressed that such a measure would be catastrophic for both Canada and the U.S. stock markets. In an interview, he emphasized the deeply intertwined nature of the Canadian and American economies, arguing that tariffs would disrupt vital supply chains that involve the auto industry, where parts often cross the border multiple times before assembly. Ford stated, “It is so integrated. I don’t even know how you separate that in the supply chain. It would be a disaster.”
Ford remains particularly concerned about the potential ramifications that such tariffs would have on market stability. He noted that many CEOs are sounding alarm bells regarding this approach and stressed that the market’s reaction would inevitably catch Trump’s attention. “He has many scorecards, but one is the stock market. It will affect the market, the market will drop,” Ford warned.
In light of Ford’s apprehensions, the Trump transition team responded, defending the president’s stance by mentioning his commitment to implementing tariff policies aimed at shielding American workers from unfair competition posed by foreign markets. Beyond tariffs, Ford articulated his anxiety regarding Trump’s plans for mass deportations that could affect millions of undocumented individuals, indicating readiness to mobilize provincial police officers if necessary to secure the border.
Ford outlined a collaborative effort involving local, provincial, and federal law enforcement agencies to strengthen border security, stating, “We’ll make sure that we tighten up that border like we’ve never seen before.” Trump’s proposal for tariffs is linked to a demand for Canada and Mexico to curb the flow of migrants and fentanyl into the U.S., despite the fact that the vast majority of such trafficking occurs at the southern border with Mexico.
In reaction to these developments, Canada’s federal government disclosed elements of a new multi-million dollar border initiative aimed at preemptively countering these tariffs. Among the proposed measures is the establishment of a 24-hour aerial surveillance task force to monitor the border, utilizing helicopters, drones, and high-tech monitoring towers.
Moreover, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau outlined plans for a potential North American “joint strike force” aimed at tackling organized crime across borders. “We’re stepping up to keep our border strong and secure: By deploying new helicopters, drones and surveillance tools,” Trudeau said, reinforcing the commitment to border integrity amid increasing pressures.
In light of the political backdrop, Ford remarked that Trudeau’s fate may ultimately lie in his own hands following the resignation of his finance minister. He called for a unified message among Canadian provincial leaders on the significance of trade relations with the U.S.
Should the extensive tariffs be enacted, Ford has indicated a willingness to limit electricity exports to neighboring U.S. states, claiming, “I want to sell them more energy… but I’m going to always keep every tool in our toolbox available.” Approximately 60% of U.S. crude oil is sourced from Canada, which also dominates imports of steel, aluminum, and uranium.
Additionally, Canada consistently serves as a crucial trading partner for the U.S., with about $3.6 billion in goods and services exchanged daily. Ford reported discussions with the governors of Michigan and New York, asserting mutual understanding of the trade dynamics at play, particularly since Michigan stands as Ontario’s largest trading partner.
Ford expressed a desire for constructive dialogue with the Trump administration, clarifying, “We want to sit down and explain to Trump and inform him that we aren’t the enemy.” He also indicated interest in pursuing a direct trade agreement with the U.S. While the dynamics of migration and drug seizures along the U.S.-Canada border differ greatly from the southern border, Ford reinforced the notion that collaboration and communication remain vital to maintaining strong bilateral relations.
In stark contrast, U.S. customs data reveals significant discrepancies in drug seizure statistics, with only 43 pounds of fentanyl confiscated at the Canadian border compared to more than 21,000 pounds seized from the Mexican border within the same year-long period. This highlights the complexities of the current immigration and trafficking landscape between the two countries, particularly as the U.S. Border Patrol reports millions of migrant encounters primarily along the southern border.