Ontario Premier Doug Ford accused President Donald Trump of bullying Canada and warned that escalating tariffs could damage the U.S. economy as the neighbors’ trade war spreads into autos, energy and even a dispute over Lake Ontario’s name.
Ford Says Trump Is Bullying Canada
“Everyone’s feeling bullied by President Trump, and this is the worst thing you could do for the American economy,” Ford told ABC News’ “This Week” on Sunday. “I just don’t see the purpose. It’s absolutely backwards.”
Ford argued the two economies should deepen trade rather than unwind it. U.S. Trade Representative data show U.S.-Canada goods and services trade totaled $872.3 billion in 2025.
Washington imposed 50% tariffs on roughly $20 billion of Canadian goods on Aug. 22 after negotiations collapsed. Canada will retaliate Sept. 8 with tariffs of 15%, 25% and 50% on C$27.6 billion of U.S. imports, matching Washington “dollar for dollar.”
Auto Tariffs Raise Stakes For Both
Trump has also threatened 50% tariffs on Canadian vehicles, auto parts and steel starting Jan. 1. Canadian-built vehicles represented about 6% of U.S. auto sales in 2025, according to Barclays data.
“It’d be devastating on both countries, but it’d be definitely devastating on the U.S.,” Ford said. “A tariff on Canada is nothing more than a tax on American people, and it’s probably the worst move he could ever do.”
Ford also challenged Trump’s argument that America does not need Canada. The U.S. Energy Information Administration says Canada supplied 3.9 million barrels of crude per day in 2025, roughly 63% of total U.S. crude imports.
Asked whether Trump’s new agreement giving the U.S. majority control over more than 65 billion barrels of Venezuelan oil strengthened Washington’s hand, Ford replied, “Who do you want to deal with? An unstable government like Venezuela, or do you want to deal with your No. 1 trading partner, your No. 1 ally?”
Benzinga reached out to the White House for a statement on Ford’s comments but did not receive an immediate response.
Lake Ontario Feud Turns Personal
The fight has spilled beyond economics. Trump last week ordered the U.S. government to rename Lake Ontario “Lake America.”
Ford responded in his own Saturday X post, “It’s Lake Ontario, now and always,” alongside a giant lakeside sign. On ABC, he compared Trump’s order to “something out of ‘Saturday Night Live.’”
However, Ford separated Americans from their president, stating, “I love the American people. Canadians love the American people. We differentiate between the great American people and the president.”
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