The leaders of Ontario’s four main political parties say they’ll stand up for Ontarians as U.S. President Donald Trump announces his intention to impose a 25 per cent tariff on all steel and aluminum imports.
Today, Trump said he’d introduce the new levy on Monday.
Speaking to reporters from Air Force 1 prior to heading to the Super Bowl in New Orleans, the U.S. president also said he’d be announcing reciprocal import tariffs on Tuesday or Wednesday, which he indicated would come into effect almost immediately and would apply to all countries, matching their tariff rates.
Trump has already warned he will impose 25 per cent tariffs placed on imports from Mexico and Canada, 10 per cent on Canadian energy, and 10 per cent on Chinese goods. The tariffs were set to take effect on Feb. 3, however Trump announced that he’d be pausing tariffs against Canada for at least 30 days following Canada’s announcement of a $1.3 billion border security plan. Among those promises is a commitment from Canada to appoint a “fentanyl czar.” New tariffs planned for Mexico were also paused last Monday.
Trump also spoke again today about his intention to make Canada the United States' 51st state, claiming during a Fox News interview that it is “paying $200 billion a year” to its Canuck neighbour.
In a post on X, Progressive Conservative Leader Doug Ford lamented Trump’s unpredictability when it comes to import tariffs.
“This is the next four years. Shifting goalposts and constant chaos, putting our economy at risk,” he wrote.
“I’m asking the people for a strong, stable, four-year mandate that outlasts the Trump administration to do whatever it takes, to always be ready to protect Ontario.”
Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie took the opportunity to make a dig at Ford, who was caught on a hot mic earlier this week saying that he wanted Trump to win the presidency.
“Unlike Doug Ford, I didn’t want Donald Trump to win the White House back because I knew it would be bad for Ontario. We need to stand together as Team Canada against Trump,” she said.
“But the people of Ontario also need a premier who will fight to get the basics right for them. That’s my plan – a family doctor for everyone, an end to endless waits in emergency rooms and a focus on making life more affordable.”
Marit Stiles, leader of Ontario’s New Democratic Party, said her focus as premier would be to “fight to protect workers and defend every single job against Donald Trump’s threats to put tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum.”
“Ontario’s workers are not going to take this lying down, they will fight back, and I will be right there with them,” she vowed.
Ontario Green Party Leader Mike Shreiner, meanwhile, said that Trump’s import tariffs “could have a big impact on Ontario jobs, and we need to be working together across party lines to ensure we’re ready for them.”
He also took the opportunity to call out Ford for his decision to call a snap election.
“Instead, Doug Ford has forced us into a snap election that’s all about himself. Life is so unaffordable right now, it’s no wonder people are worried,” Schreiner said.
“Seven years of Doug Ford’s failures have driven up the cost of homes, food and everyday essentials. Greens are fighting to repair the damage and build a fairer Ontario.”
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has not reacted to Trump’s new steel and aluminum tariffs at this point. An official from his office told The Canadian Press on background that they are “monitoring” the situation.
With files from CTV News Toronto’s Siobhan Morris and Reuters and The Canadian Press
