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Trump first imposed new tariffs on Canada, shortly after which Canada retaliated.
Trade talks between the United States and Canada recently collapsed, triggering steep tariffs between the two neighbors. Washington imposed 50 percent tariffs on Canadian goods, while Ottawa announced retaliatory duties starting Sept. 8.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford criticized the move during an appearance on ABC News, slamming Donald Trump for basically putting a new tax on U.S. consumers.
“A tariff on Canada is nothing more than a tax on the American people, and it’s probably the worst move he could ever make,” Ford told “This Week” host Martha Raddatz.
Canada exports over 70 percent of its goods to the U.S., while nearly 60 percent of Canadian imports originate from American business partners, according to ABC News.
Oil and auto threats
Crude oil remains central to that commercial tie. Prime Minister Mark Carney noted that Canada supplies 60 percent of all foreign oil imported into the U.S.
However, a recent U.S. deal for over 65 billion barrels of Venezuelan oil reserves has shifted leverage. Ford openly questioned whether Washington should prioritize Venezuela over its primary ally.
“Well, you know something? That’s going to be up to President Trump. Who do you want to deal with? An unstable government like Venezuela, or do you want to deal with your No. 1 trading partner, your No. 1 ally?” Ford asked on ABC News.
Trump also threatened to double auto tariffs by Jan. 1, 2027, writing that “Canada will be treated like a state no longer.” Ford warned that action would prove “devastating” for both nations.
Battle of the lake
In addition to imposing tariffs on Canada, Donald Trump also took an unusual step when he officially renamed Lake Ontario “Lake America.”
Among the suggested new names is “TACO Avenue”—the shorthand references an acronym born online during recent tariff arguments, standing for “Trump Always Chickens Out.”
