‘Never underestimate Ontarians’: Party leaders respond to Trump tariffs coming Saturday

CTV News Queen’s Park Bureau Chief Siobhan Morris wraps day three on the provincial campaign trial.

“Never underestimate Canadians. Never underestimate Ontarians.” That’s the message of Progressive Conservative Leader Doug Ford to U.S. President Donald Trump on the eve of the sweeping tariffs he plans to impose on Canadian goods.

Ford, who is in the middle of an election campaign, underlined Friday the importance of a united Canadian response, saying the country has a lot of tools to retaliate against the tariffs.

“We have to show strength being united and emphasize to the federal government that we have to retaliate hard, not soft, but hard. Meet them, dollar for dollar, tariff for tariff,” Ford said during a campaign stop in St. Catharines on Friday.

The PC leader’s remarks came before White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed during a briefing that Trump will move ahead with the 25 per cent tariff on Canada on Saturday.

“The president will be implementing tomorrow a 25 per cent tariff on Mexico, 25 per cent tariffs on Canada, and a 10 per cent tariff on China for the illegal fentanyl that they have sourced and allowed to distribute into our country, which has killed tens of millions of Americans,” she said.

Later, Trump told reporters that Canada, Mexico and China could do nothing to stop the tariffs, vowing to target items such as chips, oil and gas.

READ MORE: Trump gives details on tomorrow’s tariffs

Ford has cited the upcoming tariffs as the reason he called an election ahead of schedule.

The PC leader reiterated on Wednesday during his campaign launch in Windsor that he needed a strong four-year mandate “to do whatever it takes to protect Ontario.” He has said that the tariffs would put 500,000 Ontario jobs at risk.

Responding to news that the tariffs are indeed coming on Saturday, Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles also called for a unified Canadian response.

“We need to work together to levy a smart, tough tariff response that hits back hard. We cannot let Trump divide us within Canada or across the world. We’re stronger together. That is how we win this fight,” Stiles said in a statement.

She slammed Ford for calling an election ahead of the tariffs, saying he did so just so that he could secure a third term.

Ontario Liberal Party Leader Bonnie Crombie said in a statement that “Team Canada” must work together urgently to respond in the right way.

“Our response must protect our people, our jobs and our industries both now and in the future,” Crombie said before claiming that Ontario’s economy has fallen over the last seven years under Ford.

“We need to fight back. And we need to grow stronger by getting the basics right here at home.”

Meanwhile, Ontario Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner also called Ford’s decision for an early provincial vote in the face of the tariffs “irresponsible.”

He outlined what his party would do should it form a government. His response would include creating a tariff task force, developing a “Buy Ontario” strategy, and measures to support businesses that would be impacted.

“As we work to protect and support the businesses and jobs most at risk from tariffs, we need to respond forcefully to defend Ontario, invest in local supply chains, and aggressively diversify trade partners,” Schreiner said.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Canada is ready to respond but warned that the country could face difficult times in the coming days and weeks.

“I know Canadians might be anxious and worried. I want them to know the federal government, and indeed, all orders of government have their backs,” Trudeau said, speaking ahead of a meeting with his Canada-U.S. relations council in Toronto.

With files from CTV News