Adam: Doug Ford’s tough approach to Trump’s tariffs is right

If Americans didn’t know Doug Ford before, they certainly do now.

Since U.S. President Donald Trump launched his unprovoked trade war against Canada and threatened its sovereignty, the Ontario premier has been all over U.S. television, taking the fight right into American homes. You name it — NBC, CBS, MNSNBC, FOX, CNN — Ford has been on their screens, taking a defiant, no-holds-barred stand against Trump’s threats.

Article content

While the norms of diplomacy require the prime minister and federal officials to be circumspect in their choice of words when dealing with Trump, Ford has no such inhibitions. Not bounded by diplomatic niceties, Ford has spoken bluntly to Americans, making clear that if their president wants to destroy our economy, and our way of life, Canada will make them suffer as well. “We are going to respond like the U.S. has never seen before. They (Americans) are going to feel the pain like they’ve never felt before,” Ford told NBC recently. He warned Americans to stop Trump or plants would be shutting down.

While the norms of diplomacy require the prime minister and federal officials to be circumspect in their choice of words when dealing with Trump, Ford has no such inhibitions.

Asked specifically what he would do, Ford said he will “go after absolutely everything. I will stop shipments going into the U.S. of nickel. I will shut down manufacturing because 50 per cent of the nickel you use comes from Ontario.” He warned that the power Ontario supplies to 1.5 million American homes and businesses would be shut down if Trump persists with the tariffs. “If he wants to destroy our economy and our families, I will shut down electricity going down to the U.S.,” Ford said.

Article content

It was not bombast. His stand got him a meeting with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.

Of course, Ford will not be in the room when negotiations that, hopefully, yield a solution to this crisis finally take place. That is the responsibility of the next prime minister and federal officials. But the thing is, Trump launched a two-fisted economic attack on Canada to bring the country to its knees so it would be easy to annex. Perhaps, Trump thinks that he can bend a Canada known for its politeness — some may say timidness — to his will. But someone needs to tell him he is wrong, and convey to Americans in straight and unambiguous language that if we suffer, they will feel the pain as well. They have to believe that Canada is not bluffing, and Ford has been laying it out for them. All credit to him.

He has been strong and unflinching in his defence of Canada, and one wishes the same could be said of all premiers. In this fight, reluctant warriors such as Alberta Premier Danielle Smith have instead been engaging in the worst kind of nimbyism: Yes let’s fight for Canada, but keep my oil out of it. “I’ve already said that we’re not going to retaliate on energy. That is such an essential product for American consumers and businesses … we want that flow to continue,” she said.

Article content

Imagine that someone is trying to destroy everything you’ve built, and your position is that you will continue to supply them with what they need to remain strong and continue their attack. That seems to be Smith’s position. And she is buying into Trump’s divide and conquer tactics, boasting that “the fact that we saw a 10 per cent tariff rate (on Canadian oil) instead of 25 per cent (on all Canadian imports) is a recognition that energy resources are vital components of U.S. success. That’s what we are arguing.”

No kidding. But think about this: A bully is beating you up, and instead of fighting back with everything you’ve got, your response is to keep feeding him to get stronger and stronger. Bizarre.

In time, Trump shall pass, and Canada will emerge intact, stronger and more united because of this ordeal. For now, in this existential battle, give me Ford any day. I wish there were more premiers like him standing up for Canada unequivocally, and backing the federal government.

Mohammed Adam is an Ottawa journalist and commentator. Reach him at nylamiles48@gmail.com

Article content