Ontario Premier Doug Ford suggested that Canada could drop its tariffs against the United States, stating the northern nation would be willing to take them off “in the next minute” if the U.S. removes its tariffs.
Ford detailed how Canada has “another $65 billion” in tariffs ready to issue against the U.S. but that the Trump administration “knows” Canada is willing to drop its tariffs. The premier was asked how much of a “theatrical dance” between Ford and the administration this tariffs battle would be if both countries could drop their tariffs, prompting Ford to argue that Canada did not start this fight.
“We’re getting tariffed on the auto parts, for example, it’s a big part of our economy here, and right away, I had a conversation with the prime minister this morning, and I can tell you one thing: if he dropped all the tariffs, we’d have zero tariffs,” Ford said on CNBC’s SquawkBox. “As I say, you can’t unscramble the egg; you have to make a larger omelet, and I believe in the [United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement] fortress.”
President Trump’s tariffs will put millions of American jobs at risk and raise costs for families across the U.S.
I’ll be making the case all day directly to Americans: drop the tariffs and let’s work together to be the richest and safest two countries on the planet. pic.twitter.com/ADGv8vwHRZ
— Doug Ford (@fordnation) April 2, 2025
Ford was then asked what the problem was with dropping the tariffs. President Donald Trump would view Ford’s comments as “a win” if Canada is willing to remove its tariffs, which could, in turn, pave the way for the U.S. to drop its own tariffs. While Ford contended this was correct, he noted that Trump is issuing tariffs “on the vehicles” and that this fight is “ridiculous” given that Canada and the U.S. should be in unity.
The premier said he intends to speak to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick tomorrow. They also spoke on Tuesday evening, when Ford learned that the secretary is unsure what to expect from Trump’s “Liberation Day” announcements at 4 p.m. Ford was uncertain if Lutnick was “blowing smoke” or if he was being genuine.
“We need to get rid of these tariffs and focus on our real enemies around the world,” Ford said.
GOP ANXIETIES PEAK AS TRUMP’S ‘LIBERATION DAY’ TARIFFS ARRIVE
Trump’s announcements will be given from the White House Rose Garden on Wednesday afternoon. Ahead of these announcements, the Trump administration has been adamant that its tariffs plan will work.
Small Business Administration Administrator Kelly Loeffler has argued that the Liberation Day tariffs would provide “salvation” to small businesses and the U.S. and restore “fairness” to the U.S. on the market.