Ford says Canada can ‘dismantle’ U.S. ahead of meeting between Carney and premiers

Ontario Premier Doug Ford called on Canada to hit the U.S. back with tit-for-tat tariffs if there’s no resolution by Trump’s deadline, warning there would be a $28-billion impact to Canada if the levies go ahead.

“We are an energy powerhouse and we can dismantle the U.S. if we wanted to, if we all work together,” Ford told reporters early Tuesday afternoon before a meeting with Indigenous leaders.

“No matter if it’s the electricity … the potash, the oil — we’re their No. 1 customer in the world. They need to feel the pain rather than us constantly feeling the pain.”

Ford also said he wants to see more support from the other provinces when it comes to standing up to Trump’s tariffs.

“It can’t always be Ontario, it has to be a Team Canada approach, and that’s my message to my premier friends: that we have to stay united.”

Although she said she wanted to review details, Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette says the new tariff threats are concerning. She also noted that she believes the current protections for the dairy industry are not negotiable.

“I will work tirelessly to protect businesses, protect workers and protect Quebec’s economy,” she said.

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe urged Dominic LeBlanc, the minister in charge of U.S.-Canada trade, and his team to “camp out” in Washington, D.C., until CUSMA is renewed. He said Ottawa and Washington need to drop the rhetoric and get to the negotiating table.

British Columbia Premier David Eby said Trump’s new tariffs will harm his province’s economy but added “there is not a chance in hell” he will allow U.S. alcohol back in B.C. liquor stores.

Provinces removing American alcohol from store shelves was a countermeasure to existing U.S. tariffs and the White House has flagged it as a trade irritant. Saskatchewan and Alberta have returned American booze to store shelves.

Lantz said the Council of the Federation meeting hasn’t been derailed by Trump’s new threats as trade was already high on the agenda this week.

Northwest Territories Premier R.J. Simpson said his counterparts have different ideas for how to deal with the United States, however, they are still able to work together.

“We can come together and have discussions about those ideas. Ever since I’ve been at this table, I’ve been amazed at the solidarity,” Simpson said.

“There are differences of opinions but every time we’re in that room, we’re all pulling in the same direction.”

Before news of Trump’s new tariff threat, the U.S. president was already top of mind for Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew.

Kinew stressed the need “to ensure that the national unity against the Trump threat is maintained” while making sure provinces “have the resources for health care and education at the same time.”

Trump’s levies on Canadian goods have continued to affect every Canadian province, including Ontario’s steel, fabrication in Alberta and aluminum production and forestry industries in British Columbia, Quebec and Atlantic Canada.

While Ottawa has responded with reciprocal tariffs, emergency funds and buy Canadian policies, premiers have called on Carney to prioritize a strong outcome on CUSMA.

Eby said that he would tell Carney that no trade deal with the U.S. is better than a bad one.

“It has been proven over time, that Canada’s approach has been the right one, which is to resist making a bad deal for the purposes of getting a deal done quickly,” Eby said in an interview ahead of meeting his counterparts.

While the premiers may have common struggles and goals, there are also divisions within the group of 13. Chief among them could be Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s approach to separatism forces in her province.

“The separatism conversation continues in that province, and there are strong divisions between the premiers about how Premier Smith is handling that,” Eby said.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 21, 2026.

— With files from Ian Bickis in Winnipeg, Wolfgang Depner in Victoria and Elissa Mendes and Allison Jones in Toronto.

Eli Ridder, The Canadian Press

by The Canadian Press

Ford says Canada can ‘dismantle’ U.S. ahead of meeting between Carney and premiers

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