Ontario Premier fires back at Trump: "Reagan would have hated him"

Ontario Premier Doug Ford has sharply criticized US President Donald Trump after his decision to impose 50 percent tariffs on Canadian cars, auto parts and steel starting next year. According to Ford, Trump is underestimating Canadians' willingness to endure economic hardship rather than bow to pressure from Washington.

"He's underestimating Canada. We're all in this together," Ford said in an interview with the Associated Press. He noted that a tense mood has settled over Canada's leadership, with everyone bracing for an economic war and understanding that sacrifices will be necessary.

Tariffs and accusations against Canada

The White House chief announced the new tariffs on Monday, writing on his Truth Social platform that "Canada has been ripping off the United States for years." Trump also blasted what he called Canada's "ridiculously high tariffs" on American farmers.

Ford said that with this move, Trump had "declared war — an economic war — on his closest friend and ally." The Ontario premier brought up former US President Ronald Reagan, whose portrait hangs in his office. "If he knew what was going on, he'd throw up on that painting, and he'd be rolling in his grave right now," Ford said. He added that the Reagan portrait might as well come down, since the current Trump would have disgusted him.

Threat to cut off US electricity

Ford warned that if the conflict escalates further, Ontario could halt supplies of electricity and strategically important minerals to the United States. "I will cut that off. You will not get an ounce of anything from Ontario," he said, noting that the province supplies electricity to 1.5 million American households and businesses. "Everything is on the table. I'll do whatever it takes," the premier added.

According to the Associated Press, mineral resources hold particular importance for Washington, which is trying to reduce its dependence on China. Canada supplies the US with minerals used in military aircraft, missiles and electronics. "What would they do without the high-quality nickel we supply to the US?" Ford asked.

Trump's response

Commenting on Ford's interview with the Associated Press, Trump said the Ontario premier talks too much. "A lot of 'big talk' from Doug Ford, Premier of the Canadian Province of Ontario, who is known as being the less charismatic, less smart, and all around less impressive brother of his late, great brother, Rob Ford," the US president wrote on Truth Social.

Source: novinky.cz