Ford says Ontario won't lift U.S. booze ban, continues calling Trump a 'bully'
· Toronto Sun
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Ontario Premier Doug Ford said the province is standing firm on its ban on American alcohol, and doubled down on previous comments he made calling U.S. President Donald Trump a “bully” on Tuesday.
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Ford was responding to the U.S. president’s newly announced 50% tariff on goods from Canada , including those that comply with the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA).
“I always say, we can’t keep rolling over for President Trump. We can’t back down,” Ford told reporters during a media availability as Canada’s premiers gather at the start of the three-day Council of the Federation meetings in Charlottetown.
The Trump administration said Monday that it would slap tariffs on what it said was Canada’s unfair treatment of American alcohol, vehicles and dairy.
Those U.S. levies are set to begin in 29 days, according to the White House.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Mark Carney told reporters in Ottawa that Canada was looking at all options in deciding how the country would respond if the tariffs do come into effect.
Ontario premier: We need to ‘be on the offence’
While Ford again pushed for a “full Team Canada approach,” he urged Carney to take decisive action.
“We need the prime minister to come in, and if these talks fail in 29 days, we need to hit him (Trump) back as hard as we can.
“I’m tired of the bully trying to take our lunch money all the time,” Ford said, adding that Canada needs to “be on the offence, not constantly on the defence with President Trump.”
Ford went on to say, “We need to stand up to the bully, and we need to hit him tariff to tariff — all the way across the board.”
Ontario was among the eight provinces banning U.S. alcohol in retaliation against previous tariffs announced by the Trump administration.
In reponse to the annoucement of the new U.S. tariffs, Carney issued a statement on X Monday night, highlighting that the levies are a “direct violation” of CUSMA, and said Canada would “intensify” talks with the U.S. in the coming weeks.
“In all circumstances, Canada will work relentlessly and take measures necessary to build our strength at home and support Canadian workers, farmers, businesses, and families,” he ended his statement.