Mark Carney, Doug Ford discuss trade ahead of Washington trip as U.S. tariffs take effect

Ontario Premier Doug Ford held his first meeting with incoming Prime Minister Mark Carney since his election as Liberal Party leader, describing their discussion as “positive and productive.”

The conversation focused on addressing U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats. Ford wrote in a social media post that both leaders had agreed they must stay united and resolute in the face of Trump’s actions, including the possibility of new retaliatory tariffs after the newly imposed U.S. duties on steel and aluminum took effect at midnight.

“Together, we will get through this more united than ever before. Canada won’t relent until the threat of tariffs is gone for good,” read his post.

In a separate post, Carney thanked Ford for the breakfast meeting, noting that they were strongest when they were united.

Canada strikes back with $30 billion in retaliatory tariffs

In retaliation to the new steel and aluminium tariffs that went into effect on Wednesday, Canada announced nearly $30 billion of retaliatory tariffs on the U.S.

Federal Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc confirmed that these tariffs will take effect at 12:01 a.m. ET on Thursday. They are in addition to the 25% tariffs Canada levied on $30 billion worth of U.S. imports earlier this month.

Premier Doug Ford will travel to Washington on Thursday alongside LeBlanc for meetings with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and President Donald Trump’s economic team members.

The meeting was set after Ford agreed to pause his 25% electricity surcharge in New York, Minnesota, and Michigan. In response, Trump backtracked on doubling the tariffs that came into effect Wednesday.

Ford and Carney push for fair trade negotiations amid political uncertainty

Ford said he would be starting a conversation about the future of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). He expressed a willingness to collaborate with U.S. officials, federal partners, and provincial premiers to negotiate a fair trade deal.

Speaking with reporters outside his office, Ford said the federal government would negotiate the agreement, but he and other premiers would make sure their input was part of the process. He also played down concerns that any Canadian retaliatory tariffs would adversely affect negotiations, saying it was time to suspend trade-restrictive measures that could damage both economies.

At the same time, Carney could be sworn in as Canada’s 24th prime minister as soon as Friday. His transition team is working on the logistics to make it happen as quickly as possible.

Carney said he is willing to meet with Trump when the time is right, with “respect for Canadian sovereignty” and a commitment to a broader trade agenda.”

Trump has repeatedly referred to Canada as the “51st state” and has called outgoing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau “Governor Trudeau.”

“We are all going to better off when the greatest economic and security partnership in the world is renewed, relaunched. That’s possible,” added Carney.

Ford also appeared to advocate for an early federal election, calling for clarity on Canada’s leadership for the next four years and expressing a willingness to work with any government that prioritizes Ontario’s interests. Carney is widely expected to call an election before Parliament resumes on March 24 but must first be sworn in before making that decision.

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