Ford Promotes Canadian Materials Amid Trade Tensions with US
Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario, pledges to use only Canadian materials in response to trade tensions with the US, criticizing tariffs and promoting local products.
Elon Musk attended the America First Policy Institute gala at Mar-A-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, on November 14, 2024.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford emphasized his commitment to using Canadian products, stating, "We just aren't going to be using American companies. And no matter if we are building a hospital, if we're building anything, if we're building a dog house I want to make sure we are using Ontario steel, Canadian products, Canadian wood, Ontario wood, anything."
Ford added, "I don't care if it's a toothpick. We need to purchase from Canada and Ontario."
His comments follow plans by Ontario and other provinces to remove American liquor brands from government store shelves, as the Liquor Control Board of Ontario sells nearly $1 billion worth of American wine, beer, spirits, and seltzers each year.
Ford remarked, "Canada didn't start this fight with the U.S., but you better believe we're ready to win it," referencing his recent call for an election in the province.
He expressed a desire for a four-year mandate that would outlast former President Trump's term, questioning, "He wants to come after us? I've yet to hear one American citizen say Canada is the problem."
In response to the sweeping tariffs imposed by Trump, Canada and Mexico enacted retaliatory tariffs on American goods. Ford encouraged businesses to display the Canadian flag on their products to promote local buying.
He criticized Trump, stating, "This is a tax on American citizens. That's what Donald Trump is doing to his own people," and described Musk as part of the "Trump team that wants to destroy families' incomes, destroy businesses." Ford asserted, "He wants to take food off the table of hard-working people, and I'm not going to tolerate it."
Trump responded on Sunday by criticizing Canada's trade surplus with the U.S. and stated that without that surplus, "Canada ceases to exist as a viable country. Harsh but true! Therefore, Canada should become our Cherished 51st State. Much lower taxes and far better military protection for the people of Canada -- AND NO TARIFFS!"
