Ontario has 'strong list' to counter possible Trump tariffs: Ford

Ontario Premier Doug Ford says his government has a “strong list” of possible retaliatory measures if U.S. president-elect Donald Trump moves ahead with imposing tariffs on Canadian goods.

Ford would not provide details, saying he is going to wait and see what Trump will eventually do when he is sworn into office on Jan. 20.

“We’ll make sure we disclose the list after we see the tariffs out they’re planning to put on Canada,” Ford told reporters on Wednesday, following his virtual meeting with other premiers.

He shared that, during their meeting, his counterparts expressed concern about Trump’s recent statements. The incoming president said on Tuesday that he is considering using “economic force” to annex Canada. Trump has also promised to impose tariffs on Canadian and Mexican goods, unless both countries secure their borders

Amid the looming threats, Ford is confident Trump is getting the message about the impact of tariffs.

“I’ve heard it from people that know him. I heard it from elected officials. He’s hearing our message loud and clear,” Ford said.

Ford also suggested that, despite Trump's rhetoric, he and other premiers are hearing a different tone from other U.S. officials who they have spoken to.

“I think there’s a little split down in the U.S. (The) president saying one thing, and elected officials are thinking something opposite,” he said.

The premiers are expected to travel to Ottawa next Wednesday to have a meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc.

“We’re going to make sure that we hold their feet to the fire and come out as a united country on a message to our American friends and allies, and let’s just make sure that we do everything in our power—I mentioned to the premiers—to avoid these tariffs. I personally feel they’re coming. They’re coming hard,” Ford said.

He added that he will be leading other premiers when they visit Washington, D.C., on Feb. 12 to meet U.S. officials.

“We’re going down there to speak to the American people, to speak to the elected officials down there that can get into the ear of, at that time, President Trump,” Ford said.

Ontario pitches energy partnership with U.S.

Earlier in the day, the premier pitched an energy plan dubbed “Fortress Am-Can,” that would rely and build upon Ontario’s existing nuclear infrastructure to deliver more power south of the border as it “decouples from China and its global proxies.”

Wednesday’s announcement struck a more collaborative tone as Ford has previously threatened to cut off Ontario-supplied electricity that is currently powering 1.5 million homes in New York, Michigan and Minnesota—but only as a “last resort” should Trump push ahead with a threat to slap a 25 per cent tariff on Canadian imports.

“Together, let’s stop wasting time and ridiculous ideas about merging and instead focus on efforts on restoring the pride of ‘Made in Canada’ and ‘Made in USA,’” Ford said at a Wednesday morning announcement at the Darlington Energy Complex, east of Toronto.

The plan would see the expansion of the existing electricity grid the two countries currently share, as well as streamlining the approval process for small modular and large nuclear reactors. Ford also suggested setting up a cross-border working group to cut red tape and secure the system against foreign interference, cyber-attacks, terrorism, and extreme weather.

“Fortress Am-Can is a renewed alliance, a beacon of security, stability and growth. It’s a vision that respects each country as independent and celebrates what we can achieve together. A true partnership where Canada and the U.S. can align on key priorities—free, fair, and balanced trade; growing economies; advancing resource development; and protecting our communities,” he said.

Many economists have warned the effect of Trump's proposed tariffs could be particularly devastating for Ontario due to the nearly $500 billion in two-way trade between the province and the U.S. last year.

Canada will 'never be for sale,' Ford says to Trump

In addition to toying with the idea of using “economic force” to acquire Canada as a U.S. asset, Trump later shared a map of the two countries with the American flag covering both on social media.

Trump also referred to the U.S.-Canada border as an “artificially drawn line” at the time.

Ford, in response, said that Canada is “not for sale.”

“It will never be for sale. But I think if we work together, have an incredible trade deal, we could be the richest, wealthiest, [most] prosperous, safest jurisdiction anywhere in the world,” Ford said emphatically when asked about Trump’s annexation remark on Wednesday.

In recent weeks, Ford has made several appearances on U.S. network television touting the importance of the Canada-U.S. trade relationship, including an appearance on Fox News on Tuesday night and on CNN the night prior.

Asked why he has taken such a vocal approach, Ford referred to the current “lack of leadership” in Ottawa.

“Someone has to stand up for Ontario. Someone has to stand up for Canada,” he said, noting that he will meet with the nation’s premiers later today as chair of the Council of the Federation.

For his part, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said there isn’t a “snowball’s chance in hell” that Canada would ever become part of the United States in response to Trump’s comments. Trudeau’s retort came after he announced Monday that he would step down as Liberal leader, but stay on as prime minister until a new leader is chosen.

Last month, the federal government announced its plan to strengthen the border, but Ford said Canada’s premiers need to see more details of the strategy.