Toronto – Arab Canada News

Ontario Premier Doug Ford mocked remarks made by U.S. President Donald Trump, who referred to the timing of new tariffs on Canada as "Liberation Day," saying that what awaits Canadians is actually a "day of job and investment loss," in a verbal escalation that highlights the deep trade rift between the two countries.

In statements made Wednesday morning from Queen's Park, Ford described Trump's comments as "provocative and irresponsible," emphasizing that these tariffs "will harm Canadian and American workers alike, and have nothing to do with economic liberation."

Upcoming Tariffs

Ford's remarks come just hours before a new package of U.S. tariffs takes effect, covering Canadian imports in the areas of automobiles, energy, and pharmaceuticals, under the "America First" policy pledged by Trump.

The U.S. president had called the day "Liberation Day from unfair trade agreements," to which Ford responded:

"If Trump sees this as a day of liberation, Canadians see it as a day of job loss, increased prices, and undermined stability."

A Call for National Unity

Ford called on the federal government to coordinate a united front to defend the national economy, highlighting the need to unify beyond party divisions, adding:

"This is a time for working together, not for political squabbles."

Background:

These statements come amid a continuing escalation of the trade war between Canada and the United States, as regional and federal leaders attempt to mitigate the anticipated economic repercussions, especially with the summer travel and consumption season approaching.