Ontario Premier Doug Ford sharply criticized President Donald Trump during a CNN interview, accusing him of deliberately harming American workers through aggressive tariff policies. Ford cited job losses, rising costs in the auto industry, and strained U.S.-Canada trade relations as signs of failed economic leadership.
Ford emphasized the economic ties between the two countries, noting that Ontario alone supports 9 million American jobs. He warned that tariffs on Canadian goods like aluminum, steel, and auto parts threaten workers on both sides of the border. Ford claimed 37,000 American jobs have already been lost due to tariff-related impacts, with over $6.2 billion in added costs to the auto sector.
“President Trump and Secretary Lutnick are smart guys,” Ford said. “They understand numbers. But when you see families who can’t pay rent or put food on the table because of these policies, it’s clear this is going to grow even worse.”
Ford described Canada’s shift to “onshoring” production of goods that would traditionally come from the U.S., signaling a move away from reliance on American supply chains. He cited Ontario’s recent $40 billion in investments as evidence of economic momentum, contrasting it with job losses in the U.S.
Despite acknowledging Canada and the U.S. as close allies, Ford stated, “President Trump doesn’t want to go down that avenue. He wants to hurt the American people, and that’s exactly what he’s doing.”
The comments drew backlash from conservative leaders and economists who argue that Trump’s tariffs aim to protect American industries from unfair foreign competition. Supporters of the former president say the tariffs are necessary to address long-standing trade imbalances and strengthen domestic manufacturing.
Ford’s remarks add tension to an already strained U.S.-Canada trade relationship, with retaliatory tariffs and investment shifts putting pressure on American industry.
