Ford tones down Trump rhetoric, urges support for Carney on U.S. tariffs

Premier Doug Ford continued to be more subdued today compared to Monday, when he verbally attacked U.S. President Donald Trump, calling him a “loser” and telling him to kiss a certain body part.

Premier Doug Ford doubled down on his support of Prime Minister Mark Carney today and called for Canadian companies to “only” use materials from Ontario and Canada for construction projects going forward.

“They’re putting out fake news. He likes using fake news, he’s putting out fake news,” Ford said.

While he was still a bit fiery today, Premier Doug Ford kept the insults to a minimum.

“I thought it’d be best just to simmer down. It was a heated day, both him and I going back and forth. It looks like he’s simmered down too so let’s get back to the table,” Ford said.

McMaster University assistant professor Colin Mang says the more subdued approach will be beneficial.

“Because of the collapse in trade negotiations, naturally, there are some hurt feelings on both sides of the border but, antagonistic comments back and forth don’t really help to resolve the situation,” Mang said.

Ford did, however, heap praise at Prime Minister Mark Carney.

“The prime minister is the person in charge, I work very well with him, I have a great deal of respect for the prime minister. Just compare it to the last prime minister, night and day. He’s doing a great job, he’s a fighter, he’s standing up to President Trump. And at the end of the day. It’s his choice and he made the right choice,” Ford said.

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

“It’s important to call a bad deal what it is and what the Americans presented us with is a bad deal. The federal government made the right decision to walk away. It’s good to see that the provinces, including our own premier here in Ontario, are lining up behind the prime minister in supporting that decision,” Mang said.

Premier Ford reiterated today that “everything is on the table” in terms of retaliation to the U.S. tariffs, but said it can’t just be Ontario fighting back.

“I can’t do it alone. I’m not the only province that ships electricity down to the U.S. We need a Team Canada approach. I’d be happy, within the provinces, to lead that approach,” Ford said.

On Tuesday, Ford issued a memo calling on company officials to only buy from Ontario and Canada.

“We’re in a war, you protect your country, you protect your province. It’s amazing how I have to chase these people down, it’s staggering. They shouldn’t even be working. If they can’t follow the patriotic rules,” Ford said.

“We’ve now seen a range of tariffs come in on some American construction materials that will make them less attractive to Canadian builders. As well as on American components, which will make them less attractive to Canadian manufacturers,” says Mang. “Hopefully that will make Canadian made products more attractive and our own builders and our own manufacturers will consider buying more Canadian-made inputs.”

Ford was asked again today if he would be running the antagonistic commercials in the U.S. that ran last year with U.S. President Ronald Reagan. He said he “wants to,” but doesn’t want to “heighten this fight” at all.

READ MORE: Ford, Smith disagree on using energy as leverage in U.S. trade talks