Premier Doug Ford’s Diplomatic Dilemma: A Comedy of Trade Relations
Ah, Ontario—home to the Niagara Falls, Tim Hortons, and apparently, some bewildering trade strategies. As this week’s election looms, our friend Doug Ford, the Premier of Ontario, has declared he’s “ready to work with our partners south of the border.” I mean, isn’t it adorable when politicians try to sound all diplomatic? It’s like a toddler offering to share their candy, only to later demand a bigger share of your chocolate bar.
Buy Can-Am: A Love-Hate Relationship
Doug’s grand idea? To adopt a “Buy Can-Am” approach. Sounds catchy, right? It’s like branding a new vehicle that looks suspiciously like a Ford pickup. “Let’s create jobs and opportunities on both sides of the border,” he states, as if he’s hosting a corporate retreat for enthusiastic job creators. The problem is Doug also warned us to avoid that pesky ‘Buy Canadian’ or ‘Buy American’ mentality. Because nothing says unity like a passive-aggressive trade slogan!
Flashback to 2020! Remember when Doug ripped into Donald Trump for slapping a 10% tariff on Canadian aluminum? “Totally unacceptable,” he said, channeling his inner superhero. Well, Doug, that superhero cape has some drips of injustice, doesn’t it? Who knew a tariff could feel so personal? I half expected him to burst into a rendition of “Kumbaya” pleading for world peace while balancing 2x4s on his head.
Happy as Punch: Timing is Everything
Fast forward to August of this year, and Doug sounded “happy as punch.” Apparently, the news that Minnesota Governor Tim Walz was picked as Kamala Harris’s running mate made him giddy. But let’s be honest—if this isn’t part of some elaborate “strategic trade partnership” meeting in a cozy pub over pint glasses, then I’m a beaver in a bow tie!
Meanwhile, Doug seems a bit nervous about the “protectionist rhetoric” bubbling up from the American campaign. “Neutral,” he claims, as if being Switzerland in this whole situation is somehow a badge of honor. But can anyone blame him? It’s either play nice or risk losing tariffs tallying up faster than a pop quiz at school.
Goodbye Neutrality; Hello Trade Frenzy!
Since the kickoff of this presidential race, Doug has been busy making friends—can you imagine him at a party? “Hey, I’m Doug, let’s sign some agreements!” In 2023, he played the diplomat, signing cooperation deals with Indiana, Michigan, Nevada, and New Jersey. It’s like Canada is doing a massive round of speed dating for states. “You like poutine? I like poutine. Call me, Idaho!”
Fun fact: If Ontario were a country, it’d be the U.S.’s third-largest trading partner. That’s a staggering $493 billion in two-way trade by 2023. That’s right; it seems Ontario and the U.S. are about as inseparable as two lampposts stuck in a snowstorm together. They’re practically on a first-name basis!
Conclusion: The Trade Tango
So here we are, folks! Watching Doug Ford dance the trade tango and try to look neutral while plotting a deal. It’s all about unity, jobs, and economic stability—funny how those dramatic flips between ‘Buy Can-Am’ and ‘Make America Great Again’ just make us wish we could all chill over a donut and coffee instead.
At the end of the day, let’s hope this clever strategy of “working together” doesn’t turn into a “who squeezed the orange juice first” debate. Because if there’s anything we need less of—it’s sticky politics, literal or metaphorical!
In a bold statement released on Monday, Ontario Premier Doug Ford emphasized his government’s commitment to fostering collaborations, stating, “Whatever the outcome of this week’s election, we are ready to work with our partners south of the border.”
However, he expressed concern about the pitfalls of a protectionist mindset, cautioning, “Above all, we must avoid falling into a ‘Buy Canadian’ or ‘Buy American’ mentality which would jeopardize our current trade relationship.”
Highlighting his vision for economic unity, Progressive Conservative Prime Minister Doug Ford asserted, “We must instead adopt a ‘Buy Can-Am’ approach that creates new jobs and opportunities for workers and businesses on both sides of the border.”
Prices
Reflecting on past tensions, Doug Ford vocally opposed US President Donald Trump’s 2020 decision to impose a 10% tariff on Canadian aluminum, a move that occurred in the critical context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Expressing his discontent, Ford declared, “I just have to say how disappointed I am with President Trump right now,” during a press conference on August 7, 2020.
He condemned the former president’s measures as “totally unacceptable,” advocating for unity during such unprecedented times of crisis.
Fast forward exactly four years, on August 7, during a press briefing, Premier Ford expressed his joy at Minnesota Governor Tim Walz being selected as US Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate, exclaiming he was “happy as punch [ravi comme du jus de fruit].”
Just prior to this, Tim Walz had made a notable visit to the Ontario legislature for “a productive meeting” with the provincial government, highlighting growing cross-border relations.
Neutral
As the presidential campaign unfolded, Doug Ford raised alarms about the protectionist rhetoric emanating from the United States, voicing his concerns about its implications on trade.
However, he has consistently maintained a stance of neutrality throughout the contentious race between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris.
In preparation for this week’s pivotal election, Ford noted, “Our government has worked hard to strengthen ties and build new relationships with government officials, whether federal, local or state, as well as with business leaders from across the United States.”
Since the beginning of 2023, Ontario has successfully signed economic cooperation agreements with several states, including Indiana, Michigan, Nevada, and New Jersey, reinforcing its cross-border economic partnerships.
If Ontario were an independent nation, it would rank as the United States’ third largest trading partner, with impressive two-way trade reaching a staggering $493 billion in 2023.
The province also takes pride in being the largest trading partner of 17 states, while holding the position of the second largest trading partner for an additional 11 states, demonstrating its vital role in North American trade dynamics.
**Interview with Political Analyst Jonathan Price on Doug Ford’s Trade Relations Strategy**
**Interviewer:** Welcome, Jonathan! Today we’re diving into Premier Doug Ford’s recent statements about trade relations with the United States, particularly as he prepares for the upcoming election. What are your thoughts on his “Buy Can-Am” approach?
**Jonathan Price:** Thanks for having me! Doug Ford’s “Buy Can-Am” slogan is an interesting pivot. It signals a desire to unify trade efforts between Ontario and the U.S., which is crucial given the symbiotic economic relationship between the two. However, it raises questions about how genuinely collaborative his intentions are, especially given his previous criticisms of U.S. tariffs.
**Interviewer:** Right! He seemed quite passionate when he opposed those tariffs back in 2020, referring to them as “totally unacceptable.” Now, he’s all about collaboration. What do you think has changed?
**Jonathan Price:** The political landscape has definitely shifted. With a looming election, Ford likely recognizes the importance of maintaining strong trade ties for Ontario’s economy. His earlier ire towards tariffs embodies a more confrontational stance, whereas the current sentiment appears to be conciliatory. It’s classic political strategy—adapt to the environment to secure economic stability for his constituents.
**Interviewer:** Good point! He expressed concerns about a “protectionist mindset.” Do you think this is more than just rhetoric?
**Jonathan Price:** Absolutely. Ford’s insistence on avoiding the “Buy Canadian” or “Buy American” mentalities suggests he’s acutely aware of the potential fallout from escalating trade tensions. With American elections in flux, he’s likely trying to navigate the upcoming political landscape while ensuring that Ontario’s interests are protected.
**Interviewer:** Speaking of navigation, he seems quite busy making connections across the border, like signing cooperation deals. Is that an effective strategy?
**Jonathan Price:** Definitely! It’s akin to grassroots diplomacy. By securing agreements with states like Indiana and Michigan, Ford is fostering relationships that can be beneficial regardless of federal politics. It’s smart because local relationships can sometimes yield better results than federal negotiations, especially when tensions between national leaders run high.
**Interviewer:** do you see this “trade tango” as sustainable? Can Ontario maintain this balance despite changing political tides in the U.S.?
**Jonathan Price:** It’s going to be a balancing act. Ontario is invaluable to the U.S. economy as a trade partner—third-largest, in fact. If Ford can continue to galvanize support while being adaptable, he can ensure that Ontario remains at the forefront of U.S. trade discussions. But, of course, external factors like protectionist policies or shifts in U.S. leadership will always pose challenges.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Jonathan! Your insights shed light on Ford’s evolving trade strategy, especially as he tries to keep the balance with U.S. relations amidst a dynamic political landscape.
**Jonathan Price:** My pleasure! Doug Ford’s journey will certainly be interesting to watch as both election dynamics and trade relations unfold.
