During an appearance on Fox News, Ontario Premier Doug Ford joked that President-elect Donald Trump’s tariff threats were belated retaliation for the War of 1812, as the province continued a coordinated attempt to appeal to the American public.
On Wednesday afternoon, Ford appeared in an interview with Fox News host Neil Cavuto to promote Ontario’s relations with the United States and position the province as a key trading partner.
The interview was the latest in a series of appearances, including on the BBC and a CNN programme, in which the prime minister participated.
The Fox News meeting took place after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau went to visit Trump at Mar-a-Lago, where the president-elect reportedly joked that Canada should become the 51st state.
“The president has a good sense of humor and it’s a funny comment,” Ford said.
“I guess he’s still upset because we burned down the White House in 1812 and he’s holding a grudge after 212 years. “He’s a fun guy.”
The stepped-up promotional efforts by the prime minister’s office follow a threat by Trump to impose 25 per cent tariffs on all Canadian goods when he takes office.
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Trump said he would apply the same tariffs to Mexico and accused the two U.S. neighbors of failing to control the flow of illegal immigrants and drugs across both borders.
Trudeau has since traveled to visit Trump and Ford, along with other Canadian prime ministers, has begun making suggestions about how the federal government can strengthen the border.
Speaking on Fox News, Ford said he thought adding tariffs on Canadian goods would be bad for both American economies and millions of American workers.
“You can’t compare Canada to any other country in the world when it comes to the United States, we are part of a family,” Ford said.
“Nine million Americans wake up every morning to produce products that are shipped to our province, Ontario. “It’s a great partnership, it’s a great friendship that has spanned many, many generations… we are so much stronger when we stick together.”
Ford’s words also come as Ontario launches plans to spend tens of millions of dollars on commercials aimed at American viewers in Washington, D.C., and northern states that are especially reliant on Canadian import-export relationships.
The commercial began airing Monday and will air on Monday Night Football, Fox News and CNN.
The commercial, which played exclusively for the first time on Focus Ontario – will launch in Washington DC in December. Then, between January and March, it will focus on key states, including along the northern border, where jobs are especially dependent on the relationship between Ontario and the United States.
The ad will also appear on the Fox Sports streaming app during the Super Bowl, while Canada’s prime ministers also plan to travel to the United States to make their case.
“I think the premieres will also be held at the beginning of the new year. “This is all part of a very good phase-out campaign – the stakes are high,” Fedeli said.
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