Pressed by reporters about comments on video where he said he was happy Donald Trump had won the most recent U.S. election, Progressive Conservative Leader Doug Ford said he hoped the situation with Trump “might be a little different,” despite Trump’s prior threats to levy tariffs on Canadian exports.
Ford was captured on video after a news conference Monday saying he was happy that Trump had won the most recent U.S. election — until Trump made threats of steep tariffs that could devastate Ontario’s economy.
“I can work with anyone, I don’t care who it is. I just thought things might be a little different,” Ford said Tuesday when asked why he was happy that Trump was elected, despite Trump’s history of trade threats during his first term.
“I believe in people that want to put money back into people’s pockets. I believe in elected officials, no matter what stripe, lowering taxes on people, on businesses, that’s economics 101,” Ford said.
After being captured on video saying he was happy President Donald Trump had won the most recent U.S. election until the threat of tariffs, PC Leader Doug Ford told reporters Tuesday that he thought “things might be a little different” with this Trump administration.
Trump didn’t threaten Canada with 25 per cent tariffs until weeks after his election win — though he was outspoken about his intention to use tariffs as part of his economic policy.
Hours before the tariffs were set to begin, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Monday Trump will hold off on levying tariffs on Canada for at least 30 days after Canada made a series of commitments to improve security along the border.
In his role as the incumbent premier, Ford paused all retaliatory measures in response to U.S. tariffs, including pulling American-made liquor off LCBO shelves and ripping up Ontario’s nearly $100-million contract with Elon Musk’s Starlink.
Ford said the 30 day pause has “averted disaster” for Canada’s economy for now, but said the country and province continue to stare down a grave economic threat.
“The only thing that’s certain is uncertainty for the next 30 days.”