Some big changes could soon be happening.
When President-elect Donald Trump floated the idea of using “economic force” to make Canada the 51st U.S. state during a news conference at Mar-a-Lago, outgoing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau dismissed the notion on social media, insisting there wasn’t “a snowball’s chance in hell” that Canada would ever join the United States. But while Trudeau’s response was definitive, the pushback against Trump’s rhetoric has been notably strong from Doug Ford, the conservative premier of Ontario, Canada’s most populous province.
Ford, who has served as Ontario’s premier since 2018 and shares many political views with Trump, described Trump’s proposal as “crazy” and “ridiculous.” Ford, a former businessman, emphasized that the U.S. and Canada should be focused on strengthening their already massive trade relationship, which he believes could make both nations the most prosperous in the world. Instead of annexing Canada, Ford suggested, perhaps the U.S. could buy Alaska and even Minnesota as a playful counteroffer to Trump’s claims.
Ford also took Trump’s threat of imposing a 25% tariff on Canadian exports seriously, arguing that such a move would harm millions of workers in both countries. He pointed out that Ontario alone is responsible for a significant portion of trade with the U.S., and many American jobs depend on the trade relationship. Ford specifically cited that nine million Americans produce goods that are shipped to Ontario every day, underscoring the interconnectedness of the two economies. He also highlighted that tariffs on Ontario-made products, like cars, would only drive up prices for American consumers, hurting working-class Americans.
Ford’s government has already taken action in response to these potential tariffs. Last month, Ontario launched a multimillion-dollar ad campaign in the U.S. to highlight the province as an “ally” and a crucial trading partner. The ads emphasize Ontario’s ability to provide critical minerals and energy for American industries and showcase the mutually beneficial relationship between the two nations.
Ford also made it clear that retaliation against the U.S. would only hurt both countries, particularly considering the vital role Ontario plays in the trade networks of 17 U.S. states. “The last thing I want to do is hurt those people,” Ford said, indicating his preference for diplomacy and dialogue over economic conflict.
A long-time advocate for stronger Canada-U.S. relations, Ford believes that an approach focused on cooperation, rather than division, is in the best interest of both countries. He has even called for face-to-face talks with Trump to ensure that both nations find a way to move forward without damaging their economies.
In the context of Trump’s focus on trade deficits and the upcoming tariff threats, Ford emphasized the importance of keeping Canada’s trade with the U.S. as a top priority. As the third-largest U.S. trading partner, Ontario plays a critical role in the economic relationship between the two countries. Ford’s pragmatic approach contrasts with Trump’s more confrontational rhetoric, with Ford stressing that building on mutual interests—such as energy, trade, and security—is the path forward.
Ford also pointed to shared concerns between the U.S. and Canada, like border security, as an area where both nations can work together. His government has launched initiatives to combat illegal crossings and drug trafficking, collaborating with U.S. law enforcement to address these issues head-on.
While Trudeau’s resignation may change the dynamics of Canada’s leadership, Ford’s stance is clear: annexation is off the table, and maintaining strong U.S.-Canada relations through mutual respect and cooperation is the way forward. Ford’s comments underscore the importance of fostering strong, strategic partnerships between allies, and his ongoing outreach to Trump and U.S. governors and senators indicates his commitment to ensuring Canada’s interests are protected in any future trade negotiations.