NextFin news, Ontario Premier Doug Ford urged the Canadian federal government on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, to take a more aggressive approach and "hit back" against the United States in response to new tariffs scheduled to come into effect on Tuesday, October 14. Ford made his remarks at Queen's Park, ahead of a planned meeting between Prime Minister Mark Carney and US President Donald Trump at the White House.
The new US duties include a 10% tariff on timber and lumber and a 25% tariff on imported kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities, and upholstered furniture. These tariffs come after Canada removed many of its retaliatory tariffs on US goods in August, a move Ford criticized as one-sided since the US continued to impose new trade barriers.
"We can't just keep rolling over to President Trump," Ford said, emphasizing the need for Canada to respond firmly if negotiations fail. He framed the trade dispute as having direct consequences on inflation and economic growth, stating, "If you want to see inflation stop you make a deal with Canada. If you want to see the economy grow you make a deal with Canada. That is what we need to do because it will hurt both countries if we don't."
Ford likened Canada's current position to "a kid going to the schoolyard and getting punched in the face every day," concluding that "It is time to hit back if we don't get a deal." He also revisited a previous threat to cut off electricity exports to three US states—New York, Minnesota, and Michigan—though he noted this was suspended in March after discussions with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. Ford suggested that Ontario manufacturers could shift production to off-peak hours to access lower-cost electricity currently sold to the US.
Additionally, Ford called for closer coordination between the federal government and provincial leaders during ongoing negotiations, urging Prime Minister Carney to keep premiers informed about the progress. "Maybe Prime Minister Carney knows something I don't know and if that is the case he should sit down with the premiers and explain that," Ford said.
Prime Minister Mark Carney was scheduled to meet with President Trump on October 8, 2025, in Washington, D.C., to discuss the trade issues, including tariffs on steel, aluminum, and automobiles. Earlier in the week, Carney rolled back countertariffs on most US goods except steel, aluminum, and automobiles, reducing the scope of Canada's retaliatory measures.
The trade tensions stem from tariffs initially imposed by the US under former President Donald Trump's administration, which Canada has been contesting. The upcoming US tariffs on October 14 represent a continuation of these trade barriers, prompting calls from Canadian officials like Ford for a stronger response to protect Canadian industries.
Information for this report was sourced from The Deep Dive and Canadian Press reports dated October 8, 2025.
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