Donald Trump’s trade conflict with Canada has taken an unusual and personal twist, and Ontario’s Premier Doug Ford is not backing away from the situation.When reporter Siobhan Morris asked Ford how he plans to deal with Trump’s increasingly personal attacks, Ford stood his ground.”Good,” he said.”I’ve been in this game a lot longer than he has.I have skin on me like an alligator, and you think an insult from him hurts me?Well, bring it on, buddy.I’m ready.Bring it on.You know something?I’ve dealt with guys like you my whole life.And guess what?Y’all become losers because you’re a loser.”
Trump’s reply on Truth Social was both petty and way off mark.
He called Ford “the less charismatic, intelligent, and overall unimpressive brother of the late, great, Rob Ford,” bringing Ford’s deceased brother into the trade dispute as an insult.Trump also claimed Canada couldn’t survive without America, falsely claimed Canada’s unemployment rate was 10%, and threatened even worse consequences unless Canadian leaders “fall in line.”
Ford, unfazed, explained exactly what “fighting back” means.
Ontario provides 65% of the high-grade nickel used in American military and manufacturing.Canada exports essential potash needed for growing American crops.And Canadians buy more American-made cars than any other country in the world — a point Ford emphasized could change quickly: “So now the choice is, do we keep buying American vehicles?”
He warned that Trump’s proposed attacks on auto parts manufacturers could backfire, potentially closing U.S.
plants, because parts cross the border “eight times” during production.
Rather than getting into pure nationalism, Ford offered a real and useful alternative: “Let’s create Fortress North America.
Let’s make the pie larger.Let’s create more opportunities and more jobs.” But he also made it clear Canada won’t just take economic hits quietly, warning that Canada could cause “massive, massive pain” on the U.S.through electricity, fuel, potash, and uranium exports if tensions continue to rise.
“President Trump underestimates us,” Ford said, “and that’s the biggest mistake, underestimating your opponent.”
Trump wanted to start a brawl with Canada.
He got a premier with thicker skin, sharper facts, and a much more sensible economic argument than anything coming out of the Oval Office.
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Bravo! I’m an American and I’m embarrassed by our idiot “President”. Hold your line Canada!