President Donald Trump on August 24, 2026, threatened to impose 50% tariffs on "all Cars, Trucks, both large and small, Automotive Parts, and Steel" from Canada, effective New Year's Day, January 1, 2027, in a post on Truth Social, CP24 reported. The threat came two days after separate 50% U.S. tariffs on roughly $20 billion in Canadian goods took effect and bilateral trade talks collapsed.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford responded on radio that the province would "go at him full steam," noting Canada buys far more American vehicles, CP24 reported. According to the outlet, Ford said Trump could "kiss my ass," and after Trump replied on Truth Social, Ford said, "I don't respond to a dictator like President Trump" and called the president "a loser." Alberta Premier Danielle Smith was cited as a potential ally in the provincial response.
The Ontario government said it expanded eligibility for its $1 billion Protect Ontario Financing Program to provide relief to businesses hit by U.S. tariffs on steel, aluminum, copper and automotive products, according to a statement from the governing Progressive Conservatives. Prime Minister Mark Carney has said Canada will match U.S. tariffs "dollar for dollar," with retaliatory duties set to take effect September 8. The auto sector is among the most heavily integrated industries across the Canada-U.S. border.
Sources: CP24, Ontario PC