Ontario Premier Doug Ford told reporters that Canada will “inflict as much pain as possible on the American people.”
Apparently the premier of Ontario has not seen the resolution passed by the Alaska House of Representatives earlier this week, when 33 members of the Alaska House voted for a resolution filled with accolades for Canada and the warm friendship it has with the United States.
The resolution lauded Canada as “Alaska’s only neighbor, reinforcing a unique and deeply interconnected relationship built on geography, history, and mutual economic and cultural ties, and pointed out how “the citizens of Canada and the citizens of Alaska have developed deep friendships, family ties, and collaborative relationships over the course of history.” The resolution is here.
Ford, along with British Columbia Premier David Eby, sees it more as a transactional relationship, rather than a friendship. Frenemies, if you will.
Ford told reporters he has asked the new Prime Minister Mark Carney to convene a ministers meeting to respond to President Donald Trump’s 25% tariffs on automotive imports, announced on Wednesday.
“I’m in full support of preparing retaliatory tariffs,” Ford told reporters. “Tariff for tariff. But, we want to see what [Trump is] going to do on April 2.”
Ontario is the center of Canada’s auto industry and could be significantly affected by the tariffs.
Premier Ford has been outspoken since Trump started trying to correct trade imbalances. Earlier, he treated to cut off the electricity supply to three states. Ontario supplies electricity to Michigan, Minnesota, and New York, powering about 1.5 million homes and businesses.
“I do not want to hurt other provinces, but I can assure you one thing, we’re going to make sure that we inflict as much pain as possible to the American people without inflicting pain on the Canadian population,” Ford said, apparently unaware of the deep friendship that the 33 Alaska House of Representatives members think Alaska has with Canada.
Earlier, Premier Eby of British Columbia introduced the Economic Stabilization (Tariff Response) Act, Bill 7, on March 13. It would give Eby the power to impose tolls, tariffs, or fees on US commercial vehicles traveling through the province to Alaska on the Alaska Highway. The bill passed its first reading on March 13.
Eby has said that tolls could pressure Alaskan politicians to influence Trump to reconsider his tariff policies.
The British Columbia Trucking Association strongly opposes the legislation, and has warned of potential US retaliation that could harm BC’s economy.
Even the mayor of Fort Nelson, BC has cautioned that such tolls could devastate local economies along the Alaska Highway. He told reporters that tolls would be “the last nail in the coffin” for Fort Nelson’s struggling economy, which relies on traffic along the Alaska Highway.
Mayor Rob Fraser said every foreign dollar from truck drivers — whether spent on a flat tire, a sandwich, or a cup of coffee — is vital to the local economy, especially after downturns in forestry and petroleum industries, a population decline, and setbacks from Covid-19 and wildfires.
Some Alaskans have raised questions about whether the BC tariffs or tolls would be legal under the international treaty that governs the Alaska Highway. It prohibits Canada from imposing charges on US travelers unless the same charges are applied to Canadians.
But the Alaska House Joint Resolution 11 is the response that Eby was looking for — a request from the Alaska House to President Trump to back down on the tariffs on Canadian goods.
Instead, Trump imposed the tariffs on all auto imports, which evoked the hyped-up response from Premier Ford, who clearly said that he intends to cause pain to Americans — “as much pain as possible.”
Isn’t Mary Ann Pease some kind of Canadian ambassador? What is she doing to help the situation?
He ought to be worrying about unelected politicians like Mark Carnage, who have the power to call snap elections with votes to be counted by electronic voting machines that make the outcome a certainty for those in power, just like happened the last time Turdeau called a snap election. The electronic vote counting has been manipulated on a worldwide basis for well over two decades.
I love it! As usual, those at the levers of power have no problems flexing on the lowly peasants of other countries.
Imagine if this much effort was put into bringing those Epstein/Maxwell clients to justice. Only if.
Bring it Snow Mexican.
Why is it ok for Canada to have tariffs on products imported from US to Canada but when the playing filed is leveled they cry foul. Whats good for the goose is good for the gander as they say
Canadian tariffs were negotiated as by Trump who is now reneging. When everyone feels enough pain and Trump’s ratings tank, Trump will go back to the agreement and declare victory
Frank,
If you are talking about USMCA, these tariffs are on goods that aren’t in compliance with the agreement that replaced the Clinton era/error NAFTA. President Trump is already gaining concessions from those who have levied excessive tariffs against us. Why are you actively rooting against America?
Steve- O, self loathing Americans like Frankie unwittingly are responding to the same call that Mao made during his Cultural Revolution.
I think they think it makes them look smart?
How dare the Canadians not just roll over in front of the Greatest President ever! Don’t they know that we are the United States of America and we can do whatever we want? Screw you Canada, the audacity to defend yourselves! For shame!
Bill,
You realize, of course, that Canada has tariffs on many American goods far in excess of 25% and that the proposed tariffs President Trump is imposing are in response to these excessive tariffs that have been in place for years?
In other words…
How dare the Americans not just roll over in front of the Greatest Premiers ever! Don’t they know that we are Canada and we can do whatever we want? Screw you United States of America, the audacity to defend yourselves! For shame!
Total agreement and well said Steve-O
Are you referring to the oft quoted by Trump dairy tariffs? The ones HE negotiated?
Fun fact – those tariffs have never been paid. While yes, they technically do exceed 300% on some dairy products, that’s only after a certain threshold is met, otherwise they are 0%. That threshold has never been exceeded. The US has a similar tariff scheme for Canadian dairy products where there is no tariff levied until the imports hit a certain threshold, then they are taxed 100% or more. But importantly, neither side has had to pay the tariffs as the volume of trade just doesn’t get high enough.
‘https://ustr.gov/trade-agreements/free-trade-agreements/united-states-mexico-canada-agreement/fact-sheets/market-access-and-dairy-outcomes
So, are there some other unfair tariffs that I’m not aware of? If so, please enlighten me.
Could have been very very easy: “Why of course, Mr. Trump, we’d be happy to tighten the screws at our borders, helping to keep ChiCom fentanyl and illegals from cross south into America. It’s, after all, the neighborly thing to do. For the life of me I can’t figure what Premier Castro was thinking
.
Oh yeah, I forgot about all that fentanyl pouring over the northern border. Last year (FY24) CBP seized 43lbs of fentanyl crossing the Canada/US border. Meanwhile on the southern border they seized over 21,000lbs. The amount of illegal drugs coming across the northern border is absolutely minuscule. But we’re going to go ahead and destroy the relationship with Canada over that? That seems awfully short sighted.
‘https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/stats/drug-seizure-statistics
As for illegal immigration from Canada? yes, it is a problem, no doubt. But again, it is a tiny fraction of the overall inflow of illegal immigration, less than 1.5% of apprehensions. More can be done, more should be done, but destroying our relationship with Canada? Not worth it.
‘https://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/assets/documents/2021-Aug/U.S.%20Border%20Patrol%20Monthly%20Encounters%20%28FY%202000%20-%20FY%202020%29%20%28508%29.pdf
Bottom line: Trump is a habitual liar. He either outright makes up numbers or just says something meaningless like, “greater than has ever been seen before”. But he lies to get his way. He’s convinced all his supporters that Canada is the worst nation on earth and is not a friend of the US, which is absolute BS. It is no wonder Canadians are upset with us, we’re insulting them, lying about them, and engaging in economic warfare against them because of bald-faced lies.
The US needs friends, and Russia ain’t our friend, despite Trumps affinity for Putin. Wake up.
Ford is a blow hard who is having his moment in the sun by huffing and puffing. The reality that Ford will eventually have to face is that Canada’s economy relies on the US. Trump’s intent is to get Canada to have even reciprocal trade with the US. There has been tariffs by in place by Canada that totally restricts US products from being imported by them.
Canada’s relations with Alaska cratered during Biden administration due to Trudeau’s COVID policy lunacy and globalist nonsense. They don’t seem to want that to change with their new PM. They make travel to Alaska through Canada a major pain.
Canada will coordinate a response with Europe, Mexico and South Korea. After Trump’s ratings tank, Trump will go back to the current negotiated agreement and declare victory
hahahahaha
Oh Lord. You sh-tlibs are so unironically funny sometimes.
Canada is not Alaska’s only neighbor. We have Russia on the other side, although with some of the things Trudeau did over the years, it often felt like we were surrounded by dictators.
“Eby has said that tolls could pressure Alaskan politicians to influence Trump to reconsider his tariff policies.”
These tolls would be illegal, and I would advise Trump to continue balancing out tariffs. I would also welcome Alberta to the union if they so chose.
How about the annexation of BC, minus Vancouver and Victoria, also the Yukon for national security reasons.
Ford is a first rate clown
All my western Canadian friends compare him to Brandon and Obama
Was just in Alberta and they have had it with Ottawa
The US has a trade surplus with Canada without the imported heavy tar sands oil. Europe, Canada, South Korea and Mexico combined have a larger economy when put together. A coordinated response on Liberation day should be expected.
He’s already gaining concessions from those who have levied excessive tariffs against us. Why are you actively rooting against America?
“Tit for tat,
Butter for fat;
If you kick my dog,
I’ll kick your cat.”
No one benefits from a protracted disagreement. Dive in, get it out of the way and then we can all get used to a new shared paradigm. As far as “33 members of the Alaska House voted for a resolution filled with accolades for Canada and the warm friendship it has with the United States” goes, how closely should anyone listen when a group of duplicitous politicians say they love you and always have?
Correct… not at all.
You need a politician and a prostitute for the same thing . What a bunch of dummies in Juneau . Where do they find these jerks . I miss Wally and Gov Bill . Those guys were real Alaskans . And not bunch of lackeys we send to Juneau who pander to special interest group under the cover of darkness in Juneau .
Premier Ford also said “If the United States escalates, I will not hesitate to shut the electricity off completely,” he planned on adding a 25% surcharge on electricity exports to three US states. He further said “Let me be clear: I will not hesitate to increase this charge,” President Trump threatened to double the proposed 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum, tough guy and proven blowhard Premier Ford promptly dropped the surcharge and tucked his tail between his legs.
Be careful what you wish for, dude.
Never liked Canada attitude about Alaska. The people are rude, socialist, communist pigs.
Once again, Trump lives up to his name as The Great Divider. Citizens, churches, families, brothers, couples, and now Canada and the US. Canada?? Really? The most peaceful nation on earth, with whom we trade extensively, people who enjoy vacations in each other’s countries, two places with so much in common that they are hard to tell apart? Yet Trump senses weakness and decides, unbelievably, to stir up sh*t. Why? because he’s a bully and trouble is all he knows. He has nothing else to offer.
Now, people for whom conflict with Canada would have never even entered their minds, are openly thinking about it, taking sides, looking to take offense, and spinning themselves up with anger. All needlessly and without reason or rationality.
And for Alaskans who are pissed because BC is talking about tolls and restrictions, well, what would they do Canada started talking about annexing or invading Alaska? Right.
The whole thing is downright ridiculous. Doesn’t our “Administration” have anything better to do than stir up conflict with our best friend and ally? I guess bullies will bully the weaker wherever they find them, just to make themselves look strong. Beyond disgusting.
Interesting note several years ago the price of a $12 sheet of canadian plywood sheeting went to $60 to $70. Didn’t hear much crowing about our Canadian ( friends ) just outright screwing us ? A 20% tariff on plywood today has no effect . However a 500-600% rise in prices was terrible . Canadians are now exporting crude oil to America and a couple of loads have been delivered to Ak . Canadians should and will feel a lot of pain over this and deserve it . Not to mention that the US built over 1,400 miles of road across Canada in 1942 . It’s time to look that agreement over real close and see what rights US citizens have using it . I know for a fact that US funds are currently maintaining a large portion of the road.
Shakwak.
A relatively recent article:
‘https://dot.alaska.gov/comm/pressbox/arch2024/PR24-0017.shtml
Think ‘equity’ dog.
‘They go low, we go lower’ type of thing. That ought to help you make peace with it.
Trump negotiated a replacement for NAFTA in 2020. That agreement remains in place, though some of the provincial premiers are trying to talk their way around it. Problem is that it didn’t cover a lot of stuff that Canada has been doing for decades. The current food fight is about all that other stuff. But you already know that.
This is typical Trump negotiation, as he shakes the box of rocks and gets negotiations off dead center. Outcome will be good for both nations, though it will be loud and messy for a while.
Canadians wouldn’t much want to annex Alaska. We have too many guns, which brings up another negotiating point, transport of firearms up and down the AlCan.
Lot of people running their mouths, shaking their tiny little fists in the air, yelling at the clouds as they go by. That number currently includes the premiers of BC and Ontario. It also includes you. Cheers –
Oh, Canada…….please, please…..don’t tariff your Canadian Club and ginger ale (Canada Dry)…..it hurts….it hurts…..we can’t stand the pain.
Shouldn’t we charge the miners who use our road in Hyder to carry minerals across the boarder with no boarder patrol on a road we built them for 126 million in 2012. The only access to multiple mines is through Alaska on a road that they locked 8 hours a day and we have no boarder patrol. Even the Canadians gave the miners the key to the gate when thy left for the night. They should build their own road or we could charge them a tarrif to cross our land with their big trucks. North of Hyder in British Columbia’s Golden Triangle, active mines include the Brucejack gold mine (a high-grade gold mine) and the Premier Gold Project (a gold mine in the Nisga’a Nation Treaty Lands).
I’m in favor of a full blockade of the border. No one comes no one goes. Threats from Canada. The land of 33 million mostly unarmed socialists who buy 70% of their supply’s from the us and export 60% to us. Shut them down. They have been gouging us for years. Let’s see how long they last.
Maybe rather than focusing on Premier Ford we should turn to Art Laffer, Donna Arduin’s mentor and former boss. Today he warned that Trump’s tarrif’s may do permanent damage to our own auto industry. I hp[e to read more about that here.
Canada should eliminate the tariffs already imposed on US products and stop the fentynal/illegal flow. To view tariffs in place, visit ‘https://wits.worldbank.org/tariff/trains/en/country/CAN/partner/USA/product/all. There 200 pages of goods and associated tariffs.
Alaskas Capital is owned by Canada and Seattle not Alaskans, Wake up Alaskans !!!
What are you saying. Alaska capital???
Treaty rights anyone? Basis anyone? How about a signed royally sealed unrevoked document with corporation of Virginia still in existence predating any semblance of idea of Cantata? Have the United States got the original still on premises? I believe we do the Charter of Jamestown still operates. Has specific language to us the very people they now later want to hurt and injure signed by the literal monarchs the KIng and Queen given permission in perpetuity to “go upon the king’s highway for seeking adventure, commerce, moving house with children…”. Congratulations to the minister for elevating himself above monarch. The monarch bestowed this right under ring seal to prevent this present injury! How quickly it is furtive to forget!
Canada has 33 million people mostly unarmed good socialists. So what’s the problem??? They are broke.
So… Canada is going to… what exactly?
.
Somehow, this feels like a 98# weakling threatening to beat up a MMA champion.
Bring on the tarrifs. If Canada is so stupid as to self destruct then by all means, let them. I’d rather travel by ferry then fund another too dumb to see how good they have it country.
Thank God for President Trump!