Toronto – Arab Canada News

In the first official response from a high-ranking Canadian official to U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to impose a 25% tariff on all imports of cars not manufactured in the United States, Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced his full support for imposing parallel retaliatory tariffs, describing the U.S. move as "unfair and devastating to the Canadian automotive industry."

Ford said in media statements today, Wednesday:

“If they are going to impose tariffs on our cars, we must respond in kind – tariff for tariff. We must protect our workers and our industry.”

A direct message to Ottawa

Ford called on the federal government to act swiftly in response to the U.S. move, which threatens tens of thousands of jobs in Ontario alone, where assembly plants and automotive parts supply chains are concentrated.

He added:

“We are not asking for special treatment, but for fair treatment. We should not be punished for our success in the automotive industry.”

Widespread concern in the Canadian automotive sector

Ford’s stance follows warnings issued by several labor unions and manufacturing companies regarding the potential impact of Trump’s tariffs on the Canadian economy, especially since the United States is the largest market for Canadian cars, and tariffs could disrupt supply chains and affect the competitiveness of Canadian products.

Calls for national coordination

For his part, Ford emphasized the importance of establishing a unified Canadian front that includes the federal government, the provinces, and the private sector, to face new challenges and ensure that Canadians do not bear the cost of U.S. decisions.

Background on the U.S. decision

Trump announced earlier this week the imposition of a 25% tariff on foreign car imports, in a move aimed, as he described it, at “bringing jobs back to America,” but it has raised widespread concerns both inside and outside the United States, especially in Canada, Mexico, and the European Union.