Republican or Democrat, Doug Ford says he’s ready to work with anyone

“Regardless of the outcome of this week’s election, we are ready to work with our partners south of the border,” the Premier of Ontario promised in a statement released Monday.

“Above all, we must avoid falling into a ‘Buy Canada’ or ‘Buy America’ mentality that would jeopardize our current trade relationship,” he said nonetheless. .

Progressive Conservative Prime Minister Doug Ford believes “we must instead adopt a ‘Buy Can-Am’ approach that will create new jobs and opportunities for workers and businesses on both sides of the border.”

Prices

In 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Doug Ford attacked US President Donald Trump for imposing a 10% tax on Canadian aluminum.

“I have to say how disappointed I am with President Trump right now,” he said on August 7, 2020.

He described the former Republican president’s measures as “absolutely unacceptable”, saying everyone must unite in the midst of a pandemic.

Exactly four years later, on August 7, the Premier of Ontario this time announced at a press conference that he was “happy as a dot [ravi comme du jus de fruit]”, when he found out that Minnesota Governor Tim Walz had been chosen as the running mate of US Vice President Kamala Harris for her presidential campaign.

Just two months earlier, Tim Walz had visited the legislature for a “productive meeting” with the Ontario government.

Neutral

Doug Ford indicated in August that he was concerned about the protectionist rhetoric coming from the American presidential campaign.

However, since the start of the presidential race between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, Doug Ford has insisted that he will remain neutral.

“Ahead of this week’s election, our government has been working hard to strengthen ties and build new relationships with government officials, whether federal, local or state, as well as business leaders from across the United States,” said Doug Ford. Monday.

As of 2023, Ontario has signed economic cooperation agreements with Indiana, Michigan, Nevada and New Jersey.

If Ontario were a country on its own, it would be the third largest trading partner of the United States, with two-way trade worth $493 billion in 2023.

The province is the largest trading partner of 17 states and the second largest trading partner of 11 others.