Ford backs Carney's counter-tariffs and says 'everything's on the table' in tough stance against U.S.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford has thrown his support behind Prime Minister Mark Carney’s retaliatory tariffs against the U.S., as tensions between Canada and the Trump administration continue to escalate.

Speaking at a media conference in Vaughan, Ont., on Wednesday, Ford said Carney had done the “right thing” by walking away from a deal with the U.S., and that the PM has his “full support in standing up for our country” by introducing retaliatory tariffs. He added that Canada is “going to fight like we’ve never fought before against President Trump.”

Ford also stood by his previous suggestions that he would consider cutting off the electricity and critical minerals that Ontario ships south as part of retaliation against the U.S.

“Everything’s on the table,” he said, but stressed that any such move would require a coordinated approach across Canada.

“I’m not the only province that ships electricity down to the U.S.,” he said. “We need a Team Canada approach, and I’d be happy within the provinces to lead that approach.”

Ford also addressed a memorandum letter he sent to Ontario board chairs encouraging them to support local companies instead of American businesses, saying: “It drives me crazy when I hear someone’s buying something off the U.S.”

Canada is “in a war” the premier said, and “when you’re at war, you protect your own … You don’t go down to the U.S. and buy a product.”

Ontario spends more than $30 billion every year on procurement. We’re doubling down on our Buy Ontario policy so that every penny possible is supporting Ontario workers targeted by President Trump’s tariffs. pic.twitter.com/C2I0Qv9W4I

— Doug Ford (@fordnation) August 26, 2026

Ford has been vocal in his combative stance against the U.S. and its president in recent days. On Monday, he told Toronto radio station Newstalk 1010 that Trump could “kiss my ass” and said Canada should use “every tool in our toolbox to go after President Trump.”

Trump responded with a post on Truth Social in which he called Ford “flunky” and compared him unfavourably to his late brother, former Toronto mayor Rob Ford.

Later that day, while speaking at a press conference in Hamilton, Ford refused to back away from his blunt language, saying that he had “plenty of real estate” on his behind for Trump to find a place to kiss.

When asked about Trump’s criticism, Ford said: “I’ve dealt with guys like that my whole life,” before directing a blunt message to the U.S. president: “You’re a loser.”

He also said: “I have more courage, more brains in my baby toe than he has in his whole body.”

Ford’s comments came shortly after Trump posted on social media that he would bring 50 per cent tariffs against Canadian automobiles and auto parts in January.

However, Ford said at Wednesday’s news conference that things have since “simmered down” between himself and Trump, adding that “it was a heated day for both him and I.”

But the Ontario premier rejected the suggestion that his comments against Trump had gone “too far.”

“Not at all,” he said. “Those words resonated. I usually don’t use those words, but when your country’s under attack and your province is under attack … this guy’s just nothing but a bully.”

The trade deal between Canada and the U.S. collapsed last week after Carney walked away from negotiations on Friday , citing unfair last-minute demands and accusing the U.S. administration of introducing measures that would restrict Canada’s ability to do deals with other countries.

Speaking at a press conference on Saturday morning, the PM said that Canada is now “at war” after being “attacked” by Trump’s steep tariffs.

As a result of the collapsed negotiations, 50 per cent tariffs came into effect at midnight on Saturday, impacting $28 billion worth of Canadian goods. In response, the federal government has retaliated with dollar-for-dollar counter-tariffs that will hit the U.S. starting Sept. 8.

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