Ontario Premier Doug Ford says U.S. President Donald Trump should "kiss my ass" after the president threatened further tariffs on the auto and steel sectors could come into play on Jan. 1, 2027.
Ford's comments came on NewsTalk 1010 Monday morning in response to Trump's latest tariff talk on social media.
Ford is set to hold a news conference Monday afternoon in Hamilton after he called over the weekend for a "strong response" to new U.S. tariffs on billions of dollars' worth of Canadian exports.
Ford weighed in on the trade war after remaining quiet for several days while talks between the two countries intensified, until breaking off just before new tariffs took effect on Saturday.
Prime Minister Mark Carney suspended the trade talks on Friday night, accusing the Donald Trump administration of introducing unacceptable measures including restrictions on Canada's ability to sign deals with other countries and last-minute demands to restrict Canada's language and culture protections.
Ford applauded Carney's decision to walk away from the deal and called for the country's premiers to stand as a united front.
"He can kiss my ass," Ford told the Toronto radio station. "As far as I'm concerned, we're going to go at him full steam."
His comments come after the U.S. introduced new 50 per cent tariffs on $28 billion of Canadian exports that took effect on Saturday.
Ottawa plans to match U.S. tariffs dollar-for-dollar after Labour Day, targeting sectors including steel, dairy, appliances, agricultural equipment and electronics.
Ford also spoke to The Associated Press on Monday, saying he was willing to cut off electricity and critical minerals to the U.S. as the trade war drags on.
Ontario sends power to about 1.5 million people in Michigan, New York and Minnesota.
Last year, when Trump went ahead with his original tariffs against Canada, Ford retaliated by implementing a 25 per cent surcharge on electricity to those states. The Trump administration was livid and threatened increased tariffs. But the gambit spurred renewed trade talks and Ontario's surcharge only lasted a day.
"We power 1.5 million homes and businesses," Ford said. "Everything’s on the table. I’ll do whatever it takes."
Ford also pulled American booze off the shelves of the Liquor Control Board of Ontario, which effectively banned bourbon, California wines and a host of other liquor, wine and ready-to-drink beverages across the province.
Ford has said he would drop the booze ban once Trump drops all tariffs he has imposed on Canada.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 24, 2026.
— With a file from The Associated Press.
The Canadian Press
