Doug Ford is telling Canadians to assume U.S. tariffs are not going away anytime soon. In a Wednesday speech in Toronto, the Ontario premier said the relationship with the U.S. "has changed permanently" and argued Canada should prepare "for the long haul" and "plan as if tariffs are here for good."
During Trump's tenure, Section 232 measures targeting steel, aluminum, autos and lumber put the squeeze on Canadian businesses that rely on U.S. buyers. Beyond that, Washington recently tacked on 50% tariffs to various Canadian goods and barred imports of a limited list of items, including certain alcoholic beverages. With midterms approaching, lawmakers from both parties have urged Trump to dial back the fight with Canada and focus trade efforts on countering China's rise.
Even so, a partisan swap would not guarantee the tariffs disappear. California Governor Gavin Newsom told CTV News in August he could not promise Democrats would lift them, while saying their trade posture would be "nothing like" Trump's.
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Ford has advocated "dollar-for-dollar" retaliation and has not shied away from blunt talk. In August, Trump threatened to lift tariffs on Canadian autos to 50%, prompting Ford to swear during a live radio appearance: "He can kiss my a - - as far as I'm concerned." He is not alone in bracing for a prolonged fight. Industry Minister Melanie Joly has warned there is bipartisan support in the U.S. for the duties, even as arguments persist about which industries and nations ought to be targeted.
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