Doug Ford, the premier of Ontario, stated on Wednesday that the trade war between the United States and Canada is being entertained by China.
Ford stressed that a truce is necessary for the US and Canada to “get through” the face-off in an interview with Kyra Phillips on ABC News.
Ford maintains that because the supply chain between the neighbors is interconnected, the tariffs are harming both the Canadian and American people as well as their economy.
He said, “We are the two closest allies in the world.” China is laughing while we are arguing back and forth against one another. enhancing their crucial mineral arsenal and gaining control of 90% of some critical minerals globally.
The premier further said that as the citizens suffer, “the market is tumbling, consumer confidence is down, and inflation is going up.”
“Call your governor, senator, and congressman and express your views. He warned Americans that this would only harm both sides of the border.
“Negotiation is the best way to resolve the issue,” Ford said. We resolve it while seated across the table. Instead of going tit for tat, we should do that.
“It would be foolish not to sit down if someone calls you, extends an olive branch, and asks you to do so,” he said, confirming that US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick “put out the olive branch.”
But Ford said he is not afraid of Trump and called the president “a smart businessperson and a shrewd negotiator”.
Since the tariffs were imposed, the premier has been outspoken in his criticism of the US president and his administration, calling them a “unprovoked attack” and “unacceptable.”
The power surcharge on energy exports to US states, such as Michigan, Minnesota, and New York, has been halted by Ontario.
Lutnick and Ford are slated to meet Thursday in Washington, D.C., to discuss the pause and tariffs.