Ontario Premier Doug Ford acknowledged: Chrystia Freeland’s sudden resignation He and other prime ministers who are meeting to coordinate a response to US President-elect Donald Trump’s tariff threats are anxious following his resignation from the cabinet.
Asked Monday if he was concerned about Freeland’s resignation, Ford said: “I think we all are, but again, it’s time for the prime minister to step up and so are we. “I intend to,” he said Monday. Serves as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance. He said he had not been informed of her resignation before the announcement but had spoken to her afterwards.
Mr. Ford, the federal council president, made the comments as he hosted leaders of Canada’s 13 provinces and territories to discuss Mr. Trump’s proposed tax. The president-elect has threatened to impose a 25% tax on Canada and Mexico if they don’t strengthen their borders.
Mr. Ford had previously wished Canada’s prime minister “good luck” in dealing with potential obligations, but now says Canadian prime ministers are aligned in their approach.
“After our discussions last night, I believe we have a unified strategy,” Ford said ahead of the summit.
“I want to emphasize that from coast to coast, jurisdictions are different all over the country and everyone has their own interests at heart, but our first priority is to secure our borders and make sure we We agree on the message that we must uphold NATO’s 2% commitment before proceeding with negotiations with the United States.”
Ford announced last week that 1.5 million people in New York, Michigan and Minnesota will be on the move before touting a collaborative approach on Monday, even though several other prime ministers, including Daniel Smith, had publicly opposed the strategy. He doubled down on his threat to cut off Ontario-sourced energy to households. François Legault of Alberta and Quebec;
“When it comes to Alberta or Quebec, it’s their choice. They believe in diplomacy, good luck,” he said at an unrelated news conference. Asked about Ford’s energy threat last week, President Trump said, “Well, that’s fine.” That’s fine. “
Ford also threatened to restrict the LCBO’s purchases of U.S.-produced alcohol, halt exports of critical minerals, and remove the U.S. from the state’s procurement process.
“I don’t want this to happen, but my number one job is to protect Ontario, Ontarians and all Canadians, because Ontario is the largest province,” he said last Wednesday. .
Ford added that he and all prime ministers hope to visit Washington in February after Trump takes office in January.
Freeland has served in Justin Trudeau’s cabinet in some capacity since his election in 2015. She was a key figure in renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) during the first President Trump’s era. President Trump said he plans to Activate the 6-year renegotiation clause Meanwhile, Ford suggested that all prime ministers agree that Canada should enter into a direct bilateral trade agreement with the United States.
