President Donald Trump has just made a big move in his trade war with Canada, announcing that he will double tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum from 25% to 50%. This decision is causing shockwaves in both the U.S. and Canada, and Ontario Premier Doug Ford is not holding back in his response.
Ford has strongly criticized Trump’s decision, calling it a “self-made” problem that could push the U.S. and Canada into a recession. Ford said on MSNBC, “If we go into a recession, it’s self-made by one person. It’s called ‘President Trump’s Recession.’ It shouldn’t be this way. We should be booming, both countries.”
BREAKING: Ontario Premier Doug Ford just now:
“If we go into a recession, it’s self-made by ONE person. It’s called ‘President TRUMP’S RECESSION.’ It shouldn’t be this way. We should be booming. Both countries.” pic.twitter.com/RrcBCrkwz6
— Brian Krassenstein (@krassenstein) March 11, 2025
Trump claims that the tariffs are a response to Ontario raising electricity prices for the U.S. He also mentioned issues like fentanyl smuggling and Canada’s high taxes on dairy imports. However, many experts believe these tariffs are risky and could harm both economies.
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Trump announced the tariff increase on his social media platform, Truth Social, saying, “I have instructed my Secretary of Commerce to add an ADDITIONAL 25% Tariff, to 50%, on all STEEL and ALUMINUM COMING INTO THE UNITED STATES FROM CANADA, ONE OF THE HIGHEST TARIFFING NATIONS ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD.”
The U.S. economy is already facing trouble, with stock markets falling sharply in recent weeks. The S&P 500 dropped 2.7% on Monday, wiping out the gains that came after Trump won the 2024 election. On Tuesday morning, the index fell another 1%.
Many experts say these tariffs could slow down economic growth even more. Harvard economist Larry Summers warned that the risk of a recession is now 50-50, saying, “All the emphasis on tariffs and all the ambiguity and uncertainty has both chilled demand and caused prices to go up. We are getting the worst of both worlds – concerns about inflation and an economic downturn.”
Goldman Sachs, a central investment bank, has also lowered its U.S. growth forecast from 2.2% to 1.7%, warning that a recession could be more likely if Trump does not change course.
Trump has repeatedly suggested that Canada should join the U.S. to avoid trade problems. He even posted on social media, “The only thing that makes sense is for Canada to become our cherished Fifty First State. This would make all Tariffs, and everything else, totally disappear.”
This statement has angered Canadian leaders, who see it as an insult. Many view Trump’s trade policies as reckless and damaging to both countries.
So what next?
Trump is set to speak to the Business Roundtable, a group of top CEOs, but many business leaders are worried about his policies. They had hoped for tax cuts and deregulation but are facing massive tariff hikes instead.
Ford, along with other Canadian officials, is urging U.S. businesses and citizens to oppose Trump’s trade war. “We should be booming, both countries,” Ford said, stressing that these tariffs could hurt jobs and industries on both sides of the border.
Featured image via Screengrab
