- Ford has consistently called for a harder line in trade talks, saying that the only way to deal with a bully is to fight back.
- Ford previously insisted the LCBO would only return U.S. alcohol if Trump rescinded tariffs, but last week softened to allow it in the event of 'a fair deal.'
- At a first ministers' meeting in Charlottetown, Ford urged fellow premiers to be more vocal in defending Canada's interests, saying he felt alone.
- With federal negotiators in final stretches of a trade deal, Ford has gone unusually quiet, with no comment from his office after a call with Prime Minister Mark Carney.
- Ford, who won re-election wearing a “Canada is Not for Sale” cap, has shelved his Captain Canada persona, raising questions about his stance on concessions.
- The U.S. alcohol bans have been effective in getting reactions, with Ontario importing nearly a billion dollars of U.S. goods through the LCBO before the ban, and Ford has vowed not to back down until tariffs are dropped.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford, often vocal against U.S. President Donald Trump, has notably retreated from public discourse as trade negotiations progress. While other premiers express optimism, Ford's silence raises concerns about his position on U.S. liquor bans and potential trade concessions.
Ford has previously criticized Trump, stating, “I don’t trust Trump as far as I could throw him.” His absence during a recent call with Prime Minister Mark Carney contrasts with the proactive stances of his peers, who reported feeling encouraged by trade updates.
The Ontario premier, who won re-election with a “Canada is Not for Sale” cap, has shifted his tone regarding U.S. alcohol imports. Initially, he insisted that the ban would remain until Trump rescinded tariffs on Canadian goods. Recently, he indicated a willingness to lift the ban for a “fair deal.”
The U.S. alcohol bans have drawn significant attention, with American politicians citing them as a reason for Trump's threatened tariffs. Ontario imported nearly $1 billion worth of U.S. goods through the LCBO before the ban, prompting pleas from U.S. states like Kentucky and California for Canada to reconsider.
Ford's previous calls for a tougher Canadian stance in trade negotiations, including threats to cut energy exports, now seem muted as he navigates the complexities of the ongoing discussions with the U.S.
“Ford, who won re-election wearing a 'Canada is Not for Sale' cap, has shelved his Captain Canada persona, raising questions about his stance on concessions. He had previously insisted the LCBO would only return U.S. alcohol if Trump rescinded tariffs, but last week softened to allow it in the event of 'a fair deal.'”
