Ontario Premier Doug Ford commended Prime Minister Mark Carney's performance during his recent Oval Office meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, describing it as "very productive." Speaking to reporters at Queen's Park shortly after the meeting, Ford indicated that Carney was able to hold his own during the discussions, which he found encouraging.
Ford emphasized the importance of building a relationship, noting, "It’s very obvious that President Trump likes Prime Minister Carney a lot more than Prime Minister Trudeau." This observation points to a shift in dynamics that Ford hopes will benefit Ontario's relationship with the United States. When questioned about Trump's tariffs on Canadian goods, Ford expressed hope that Trump would reconsider his stance. "Let’s hope that he changes his mind and really respects our relationship," Ford stated, highlighting that Canada is the U.S.’s number one customer.
During the conversation, Ford addressed Trump's concerns about the trade deficit between the two nations. He argued that if oil exports were excluded from calculations, Canada actually holds a $50 billion surplus with the United States. "If he doesn’t want anything, then I guess he doesn’t want potash that keeps his farmers growing or the uranium to keep his nuclear facilities going, or high-grade nickel that keeps the military and aerospace manufacturing going," Ford added, defending Canada's crucial contributions to the U.S. economy.
Earlier the same day, Ford made off-script remarks criticizing President Trump's policies during an event in Etobicoke focused on promoting skilled trades. He expressed frustration with Trump's actions, describing the chaos generated by the President as troubling. "This guy drives me nuts," Ford commented, pointing out that the economic uncertainty created by the Trump administration is already impacting Ontario and its workforce adversely. He indicated that many problems stem from the turmoil south of the border.
Ford also shared insights from conversations with various U.S. governors, including Republicans, who reportedly disagree with aggressive rhetoric aimed at Canada. He remarked on their apprehension, saying, "They’re terrified of their leader, that’s pretty crazy." This sentiment reflects a wider concern among state leaders about the implications of Trump's policies on cross-border relations.
In addition, Ford referenced a recent poll indicating Trump’s approval rating is the lowest of any U.S. president in the past 80 years, currently standing at 39%. Ford appeared optimistic about the political landscape, stating, "I can't wait for the mid-terms, then we’ll fix his little red wagon." This statement hints at Ford's belief in a potential shift in U.S. political power and its implications for Canadian-American relations.
