Ontario Premier Doug Ford said Monday in an interview with The that Ronald Reagan would be “throwing up” over President Donald Trump’s trade policies and threatened to cut off electricity and critical minerals to the United States if the escalating Canada-U.S. trade fight worsens. Ford said Trump has underestimated Canadians’ willingness to endure economic pain rather than give in to U.S. pressure. We’re all in,” Ford said.
They know they’re going to have to sacrifice.” Ford said Trump had “declared war, economic war against his closest friend and ally” before turning to Reagan, whose opposition to tariffs Ford previously featured in a television advertising campaign aimed at Americans. Ford noted that Trump keeps a portrait of Reagan near his desk. Reagan was a strong advocate of free trade and repeatedly warned that protectionist tariffs could trigger retaliation and hurt American consumers and workers.
Because right now, Ronald Reagan would be disgusted with President Trump.” Ford’s comments came after Prime Minister Mark Carney walked away from trade negotiations with the Trump administration late Friday, saying Washington demanded too much in exchange for tariff relief. The United States imposed 50% tariffs Saturday on about $20 billion worth of Canadian goods, while Carney announced dollar-for-dollar retaliation beginning Sept. 8. Trump escalated the dispute again Monday, threatening to impose a 50% tariff on Canadian automobiles, auto parts and steel starting next year.
Criticizing what he called Canada’s “ridiculously high tariffs” on American farmers, Trump added: “Not sustainable, and NOT ANYMORE!” Ford threatens critical minerals and electricity Ford said “everything is on the table” if the dispute worsens, including cutting off electricity and critical minerals from Ontario. He also called for Canada to consider using oil and potash as leverage. The Pentagon has sought more secure supplies of minerals used in military aircraft, missiles, munitions and electronics as Washington tries to reduce reliance on China, which dominates the mining or processing of several strategically important minerals.
Ford specifically cited high-grade nickel shipped to the United States and uranium refined in Ontario. Ford said Canada should consider increasingly severe retaliation if Trump continues targeting Canadian industries, including oil and potash, while Ontario could raise electricity prices or stop sending power south. I’ll do whatever it takes.” If Trump continues trying to dismantle Canadian manufacturing, Ford said, “he better have a pack of batteries.” Ford has used electricity as leverage before.
During an earlier phase of the dispute, Ontario imposed a 25% surcharge on electricity exported to Michigan, Minnesota and New York. Trump responded by threatening to double tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum before both sides backed away. Auto industry becomes a central battleground Ford accused Trump of seeking not simply a better trade deal but to hollow out Canadian industries and move production south.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
