Adedokun Waliyu 
U.S. President Donald Trump has sharply intensified the U.S.–Canada trade war, announcing a sweeping plan to impose 50 per cent tariffs on Canadian cars, trucks, auto parts and steel beginning Jan. 1, 2027.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump accused Canada of “ripping off” the United States for years, claiming — without providing evidence — that Canadian tariffs have created a $60‑billion trade deficit and harmed American farmers.
He said Canada “will be treated like a State no longer,” adding that the U.S. “doesn’t need Canada” and urging companies to “Build in the U.S.” to avoid tariffs.
The comments on Truth Social come just days after trade talks between the two countries collapsed and Ottawa confirmed it will retaliate dollar‑for‑dollar beginning next month.
The latest threat follows a week of rapid deterioration in cross‑border relations. Prime Minister Mark Carney announced Saturday that negotiations with Washington had failed, saying the U.S. demanded concessions that would “permanently disadvantage” Canadian industries.
Carney went further, accusing Washington of using “economic integration as a weapon” and said “its signature was written in pencil.” Resorting to the language of battle, he said his country had been “attacked” by the new American tariffs.
“You’re at war when you get attacked,” the prime minister said, adding that Canada had the reserves, resilience and plan to respond.
Canada’s premiers have urged unity in responding to the crisis. Several, including Ontario Premier Doug Ford, have backed Carney’s decision to walk away from what they called a “bad deal,” arguing that Canada must not accept terms that undermine auto manufacturing, steel production and agriculture.
Premiers have also called for federal support to help workers and businesses absorb the shock of rising costs and supply‑chain disruptions.
‘Kiss my ass:’ Premier Ford rips into Trump, President responds
Premier Ford said Monday in an interview with The Associated Press that Ronald Reagan would be “throwing up” over Trump’s trade policies and threatened to cut off electricity and critical minerals to the United States if the Canada-U.S. trade fight worsens.
“He’d be throwing up on him from the picture if he knew what was going on,” Ford said, noting that Trump keeps a portrait of Reagan near his desk. Ford said Reagan would be “disgusted with President Trump.”
“I’ll cut them off,” Ford said of critical minerals. “You won’t get a grain of sand out of Ontario.
“What would they do without the high-grade nickel that we ship down to the U.S.?” Ford said.
Ontario’s premier said Canada should consider increasingly severe retaliation if Trump continues targeting Canadian industries, including oil and potash, while Ontario could raise electricity prices or stop sending power south.
“We power 1.5 million homes and businesses,” Ford said. “Everything’s on the table. I’ll do whatever it takes.”
In response to Ford’s threats, Trump ripped into the premier on Truth Social, calling it “lots of bluster,” and saying he is the “less charismatic, interlligent and overall unimpressive brother of the late, great Rob Ford.”
Trump also called the prime minister “Governor Carney,” a tactic he used again former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during his calls for Canada to become the 51st state.
“Without the United States, Canada couldn’t survive — It’s where they get all of their money and because of their current bad leadership, primarily Governor Carney and his Flunky, Ford,” read the post.
Shortly after the post, Ford said in a press conference, “I’ve got a lot of real estate on my ass so he has a lot of room to kiss my ass.”
Ford responds to Trump’s comments: ‘Bring it on buddy!’
Ontario Premier Doug Ford responded to U.S. President Donald Trump’s personal attacks, doubling down on his comments to ‘kiss his ass.’
“I’ve got skin on me like an alligator,” said Ford. “Do you think an insult from him hurts me? Bring it on buddy. I’ve dealt with guys like you my whole life and you all become losers because you are a loser.”
When asked if he thinks getting into it with Trump will affect Ontarians, Ford said we have two choices: “We either roll back and let them take over our country. Watch the steel sector bleed out, watch the auto sector bleed out, all the manufacturers bleed out. That’s his game. But we aren’t going to play his game. We are an economic powerhouse, make no mistake about it.”
“I have more courage and more brains in my baby toe than he has in his whole body.”
