By Barry Ellsworth
TRENTON, Canada (AA) – US imposed tariffs on imported Canadian goods could cost Ontario as many as 500,000 jobs, the province’s Premier Doug Ford warned Tuesday.
"This is serious," Ford said at a press conference. "It's unprecedented."
President-elect Donald Trump proclaimed that unless Canada and Mexico stemmed the flow of immigrants and illegal drugs flowing across their boundaries into the US, he would impose 25% tariffs on goods imported from the two countries.
The threat has sent tremors through Canada as the US is the largest importer of Canadian goods, totaling CAN$436.6 billion (US$303.95 billion), according to 2022 figures from the Office of the US Trade Representative department.
The federal government took the threat seriously and has earmarked $1.3 billion in border security in a bid to stop the tariffs.
Ford said that is not enough and that Ottawa has been silent on several issues, including Trump’s warning to Canada to up its NATO spending to the 2% required by members.
"We need the federal government to step up with a solid plan for securing our border, and to make sure they get their two per cent NATO commitment," Ford said.
"We heard a number thrown out there, $1.3 billion for our border protection. I have yet to see anything, nothing at all," Ford said. He urged Public Safety Minister David McGuinty "to come out of hiding" and explain the plan to counter Trump’s tariffs.
Several retaliatory measures, including cutting off energy exports to the US and putting tariffs on US imports into Canada have been suggested should Trump forge ahead with the tariffs. In 2022, Canada imported US$356.5 billion from the US.
The Canadian premiers are scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Wednesday and the situation is urgent since Trump takes office next week.
"This should have happened a while ago and we need to work as Team Canada," Ford said.