Canadians, Americans react to recent Trump and Ford feud

As the verbal jabs fly back and forth between Ontario Premier Doug Ford and U.S. President Donald Trump, how are their constituents feeling about the feud?

Danielle de Graauw of CHCH News was in Niagara Falls asking Canadians and Americans about the recent back-and-forth between Canada and the United States.

The first question: President Trump says he wants to change the name of Lake Ontario to “Lake America.”

“He can change his name if he wants to,” said Anca Borgorin with a laugh.

“It’s in both,” said Bryan Davis, visiting from the U.S. “But it’s mostly in Ontario, right? It’s mostly in Canada, right? That’s just Trump wanting to have his name on everything.”

“He can consider it all he wants. It’s never gonna happen as far as I’m concerned,” said Dave Melanson, visiting from New Brunswick. “It’s Lake Ontario.”

Now with the second question, the conversation gets more interesting: Ford told Trump to kiss his posterior. What do you think about that?

“I don’t think it’s professional to talk like that,” said Borgorin.

“I will support Premier Ford 100 per cent with that comment,” said Melanson. “Mr. Trump deserves it. The things he’s doing, it’s just not fair to our country. Not fair to his own people, really.”

“For myself, we are pretty fed up with it,” said Aleksandra Gurneau, visiting from the U.S. “Especially Minneapolis, you all know, we’ve been fighting back and we’re sick of it.”

READ MORE: Trump floats renaming Lake Ontario as ‘Lake America’ as trade war with Canada escalates

Next question: Trump does not expect to do business with Ontario much longer. Are you concerned?

“Not really,” said Gurneau. “He says a lot of things and sometimes it happens, sometimes it doesn’t, and then the next week it’s different.”

“We supply so much power right here with the falls,” said Dave. “I mean, do they want the power or not? I mean, as far as I’m concerned, you want to get a deal, shut the power off on them.”

“It’s never gonna happen like that,” said Davis. When asked why he thinks it will never happen like that, Davis replied: “Because there’s too much trade between the two countries.”

And finally, for the last question: Are you prepared to endure a little bit of pain economically to preserve Canadian sovereignty?

“I think we need to do trades with them,” said Dave. “I mean, he needs us just as bad. He says he doesn’t, but he does.”

“I come from Europe, and what would Europe be if every country would not keep their identity — and they fought for it,” said Borgorin. “Sacrifices are needed.”

READ MORE: Ontario Premier Doug Ford tones down rhetoric in war of words with Donald Trump