Ontario Premier Doug Ford Denounces Trump as “Dictator” Amid Escalating Trade Conflict

Topline

Ontario Premier Doug Ford condemned President Donald Trump in a heated press conference, labeling the U.S. president a “bully” and “dictator” as tensions escalate amid retaliatory tariffs between the two nations.

Key Facts

Ford accused Trump of being a “bully” and “dictator” during Monday’s press conference, stating he would not heed any advice from the president. He referred to Trump as the “king of bankruptcies,” referencing the six business bankruptcies filed by Trump’s casinos and hotels in the 1990s and 2000s.

When questioned about his radio comment telling Trump to “Kiss my a–,” Ford stood by his remarks, saying, “I have a lot of real estate on my a–, so he has a lot of room to kiss my a–.”

Ford emphasized that Trump is underestimating Canada, which is fully committed to an “economic war,” adding, “We need to throw everything and the kitchen sink at them.”

His remarks followed a Truth Social post from Trump claiming the U.S. “has been carrying Canada for decades,” with the president later calling Ford a “Flunky.”

Trump threatened to impose 50% tariffs on Canadian vehicles, trucks, and parts starting next year. Ford also warned that red states in the U.S. would face significant impacts from Canada’s retaliatory tariffs.

What To Watch For

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced Saturday that Canada will implement dollar-for-dollar tariffs against the U.S. beginning Sept. 8. The measures will target sectors including steel, agriculture, dairy, and electronics, according to Carney.

Key Background

The broader trade conflict between the U.S. and Canada stems from Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs announced last year, which imposed a 25% universal tariff on Canada and Mexico. While Trump initially exempted most trade by delaying penalties for goods compliant with the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, the Trump administration declined to renew the pact during a joint review in July, citing concerns over trade deficits and manufacturing jobs. The trade war intensified this month after U.S.-Canada trade negotiations collapsed last Friday. Following the breakdown, the Trump administration imposed 50% tariffs on select Canadian products, affecting roughly $20 billion in Canadian exports, according to CNBC. Carney responded by announcing Canada’s dollar-for-dollar retaliation, stating, “You’re at war when you get attacked. We got attacked.”

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