Ontario Premier Doug Ford Claims Ronald Reagan Would Be 'Spinning Around In His Grave' Over Tariffs

Ontario Premier Doug Ford warned on Monday that Canada could restrict electricity and critical mineral exports to the United States if its trade dispute with Washington escalates. The premier told The Associated Press that Canadians are ready to endure economic pain rather than give in to US pressure.

The news came after Prime Minister Mark Carney abruptly ended trade negotiations with the Trump administration on Friday. Carney accused the American government of introducing last-minute demands that Canada considered unfair and economically unacceptable. The breakdown deepened an already serious cross-border trade dispute.

On Saturday, the United States imposed 50% tariffs on roughly $20 billion (£14.7 billion) worth of Canadian goods. Carney responded by announcing dollar-for-dollar retaliation that will begin on 8 September.

Economic War Over Donald Trump Tariffs

Donald Trump took to social media on Monday to double down on his aggressive trade strategy. The president threatened to impose 50% tariffs on Canadian-made cars, trucks and auto parts beginning on 1 January 2027, after negotiations between the two countries collapsed.

'Canada has been ripping off the United States of America for years,' Trump wrote online. The president specifically criticised Canadian tariffs affecting US agricultural products, among other trade practices.

Ford offered a forceful response to the president during his media interview, saying Trump had effectively declared an economic war against one of America's closest trading partners. He warned that the president had underestimated Canadians' willingness to withstand economic pressure.

'He underestimates Canada. We're all in,' Ford said. The provincial leader stressed that Canadians understood the economic consequences of an escalating trade dispute.

'Up here, we're at a fever pitch, everyone's in for an economic war,' the premier continued. 'They know they're going to have to sacrifice.'

Doug Ford Says Reagan Would Be 'Spinning Around in His Grave'

The escalating rhetorical battle took an unusual historical turn when Ford invoked former Republican President Ronald Reagan, who frequently argued against protectionism and trade barriers.

Ford specifically noted that Trump has displayed a portrait of Reagan in the Oval Office. According to the Ontario premier, Reagan would strongly oppose Trump's current tariff policies.

Ford did not hold back in his criticism. 'He'd be throwing up on him from the picture if he knew what was going on, spinning around in his grave right now,' Ford said.

'He should maybe take that picture off the wall and move it somewhere else,' Ford added. 'Because right now, Ronald Reagan would be disgusted with President Trump.'

Everything 'On the Table'

Ford also raised the possibility of material retaliation if the dispute worsens, saying Canada should consider using energy and critical resources as leverage.

The premier stressed that 'everything's on the table' and suggested Canada could use oil, electricity and critical minerals in its response. Ford specifically raised the prospect of restricting critical mineral exports.

'I'll cut them off,' Ford said of critical minerals, before adding: 'You won't get a grain of sand out of Ontario.'

The warning underscores the highly integrated nature of the Canadian and US economies. Ford specifically cited high-grade nickel and uranium processed in Ontario as resources important to US industry and national security.

'What would they do without the high-grade nickel that we ship down to the U.S.?' Ford asked.

Any restriction on such exports could have consequences for US manufacturers because of the interconnected supply chains between the two countries.

Ford also pointed to Ontario's electricity exports to the United States. 'We power 1.5 million homes and businesses,' he said. 'Everything's on the table. I'll do whatever it takes.'