OTTAWA — Ontario Premier Doug Ford has issued a warning that U.S. President Donald Trump may soon alter the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). Ford stated that Canada should be ready for possible changes this fall. His comments came after a meeting with the country’s premiers and Prime Minister Mark Carney, which was the first since Trump imposed a 35 percent tariff on Canada last week.

The new tariff took effect after the two nations missed an August 1 deadline to finalize a new trade agreement. It specifically targets goods not included under CUSMA. Ford expressed concern that Trump might not wait for the scheduled review of the agreement next year. "He’s not waiting until 2026. At any given time, President Trump — not that he even follows the rules — he can pull the carpet out from underneath us on CUSMA tomorrow with one signature," Ford said during a press conference at Queen’s Park in Toronto.

Ford believes that significant actions may come as early as November. "He’s going to come at us with double barrels, so we better be ready and throw everything and the kitchen sink at this," he added. The situation has created a divide between Ontario and Saskatchewan regarding how Canada should respond to the escalating trade tensions.

While Ford advocates for immediate retaliatory measures, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe has suggested a more cautious approach. "Maybe it’s time for Canada even to at least not add additional counter-tariffs in this space, but to even consider removing some of the counter-tariffs that are harmful to Canadian businesses and Saskatchewan businesses today," Moe stated in a radio interview.

Ford has expressed frustration over the impact of U.S. tariffs on Ontario’s economy. He reiterated his call for retaliatory tariffs, emphasizing that Canada should respond in kind. "You can’t have tariffs on one side and not the other. I still stand by what I say — dollar for dollar, tariff for tariff. They understand strength, not weakness, and we should never, ever roll over and be weak," he said.

During the meeting with Carney, Ford suggested that if Ottawa does not increase tariffs in response, it should lower the threshold for steel products subject to tariffs. "If people are concerned about hitting back, well, then there’s the other alternative. Let’s lower the quota for companies. When they come in, they get tariffs immediately," he explained.

Moe mentioned that Saskatchewan is taking steps to protect its industries affected by tariffs, particularly in the steel sector. "What we’ve done is pull forward a significant amount — 10 years, actually — of Crown procurement to support the steel industries here in Saskatchewan," he said.

Ford also called for large-scale industrial projects to boost national morale and utilize Canadian steel, suggesting initiatives comparable to building an aircraft carrier. He urged the federal government to cut taxes and for the Bank of Canada to lower interest rates. "We have to get the governor of the Bank of Canada to lower those damn interest rates from 2.75," he said.

Ford expressed optimism about his recent conversation with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, describing it as "positive." He believes that Prime Minister Carney is working diligently to secure a fair trade deal with the U.S. Carney, who did not address the media on Wednesday, mentioned earlier that he has not spoken with Trump recently but would do so when appropriate.

Approximately 85 percent of trade with the U.S. remains tariff-free due to CUSMA, although sector-specific tariffs, such as the 50 percent duty on steel, aluminum, and copper, are still enforced. Carney indicated that he might consider lifting counter-tariffs if it benefits Canada in the ongoing trade dispute. "We look at what we can do for our industry that’s most effective. In some cases, that will be to remove tariffs," he said.

Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand and Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne are in Mexico City for a two-day mission to discuss trade with Mexican officials and businesses. The Opposition Conservatives have criticized Carney’s handling of the trade situation, suggesting that his approach has been ineffective.