Ontario Premier Doug Ford has voiced strong concerns over President Trump’s recent comments targeting Canada, warning that Trump’s rhetoric and trade threats pose a direct risk to Canada’s economy and sovereignty. With a federal election just days away, these tensions have become central to Canada’s political debate.
Ontario Premier Warns of Trump’s Threats to Canada
Ontario Premier Doug Ford issued a stark warning to Canadian voters on Thursday, saying that U.S. President Donald Trump is actively trying to undermine Canada’s economy. Ford’s comments, delivered in Toronto, were prompted by Trump’s recent remarks suggesting Canada would “cease to exist” without the United States.
Trump’s Tariff Threat Sparks Political Alarm
Trump also floated the idea of raising existing 25 percent tariffs on Canadian automobiles. “They took a large percentage of the car making, and I want to bring it back to this country,” Trump told White House reporters. The president’s comments have reignited fears about a broader trade war that could severely impact Canadian industries, particularly in Ontario.
Canadian Election Dominated by Trump Concerns
The warning comes as Canada approaches the final days of a snap federal election campaign. What was expected to be a smooth path to victory for the Conservative Party has been disrupted by rising concern over Trump’s policies. Liberal leader Mark Carney has focused much of his campaign on the need to defend Canada against U.S. interference.
Ford and Carney Find Common Ground
Although Doug Ford is not aligned with Carney’s Liberal Party, his remarks echo Carney’s warnings about Trump. Carney, a former central banker and first-time candidate, argues that Canada now needs a crisis manager who can stand up to the White House. Ford, meanwhile, refrained from endorsing any candidate but emphasized the stakes for Ontario’s economy.
Economic Risks for Ontario
Ford stressed that potential tariffs could threaten 500,000 jobs in Ontario. Speaking at the Canada Growth Summit 2025, he said, “It’s pretty scary that a single sentence from the president can send global markets reeling.” He added that Trump’s unpredictability poses a real risk to both Canadian and American workers.
Political Fallout and Party Tensions
Ford also commented on the internal struggles within the Conservative Party, criticizing federal Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre for lagging in the polls. While Ford stopped short of endorsing a candidate, his statements reflect growing unease about how Canadian leaders should respond to Trump’s rhetoric and policies.
Behind-the-Scenes Republican Agreement
The premier claimed that many Republican politicians privately admit Trump’s trade strategies are harmful to the U.S. as well. “But I guess he has put the fear of God into these people,” Ford said, suggesting that political fear prevents open dissent within Trump’s party.
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