Ontario's Premier Doug Ford wants to meet with Trump and Musk: "We need each other"

During his Mar-a-Lago news conference on Tuesday, President-elect Trump suggested using "economic force" to make Canada the 51st state. In response, outgoing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated on social media that there is no chance Canada would join the United States.

The premier of Canada's most populous province, Ontario, has been the biggest critic of Trump's plan to annex Canada and his proposed 25% tariffs on exports from the country.

In an interview with Planet Chronicle Digital, Ontario's Premier Doug Ford, a conservative like Trump, described the president-elect's targeting of Canada as "crazy" and "ridiculous."

The bilateral focus should be on "fortifying" the nearly trillion-dollar two-way trade relationship to "make the U.S. and Canada the wealthiest and most prosperous region globally."

During a Toronto news conference on Monday, Ford criticized Trump's idea of Canada becoming the 51st state with a "counteroffer."

The premier suggested buying Alaska and including Minnesota at Queen's Park, Ontario's legislature.

Ford joked that he should have chosen a warmer location, like Florida or California, after making those remarks, according to what he heard from Canadians.

"California never votes for him anyway," he added.

In a news conference on Monday, Ontario's premier stated that "during my tenure," annexing Canada "will never, ever occur."

Ford is also taking Trump’s tariff threat seriously.

His government recently launched a multimillion-dollar ad campaign in the U.S. promoting Ontario as a partner for increased workers, trade, prosperity, and security.

Ontario is a reliable source of energy for powering your growing economy and providing the critical minerals needed for new technologies, as stated in a 60-second ad.

Trump's plan to impose a 25% tariff on Canada on his first day in office on Jan. 20 will negatively affect millions of American and Canadian workers, as stated by Ford.

"Every day, nine million Americans produce products specifically for Ontario, but the issue lies in China exporting goods to Mexico, which then adds a 'made-in-Mexico' label."

Ford stated that Ontario is prepared to retaliate against the U.S. through measures that will convey a strong message, in response to the imposition of U.S. tariffs. He added that he believes Canada should have separate trade agreements with both the U.S. and Mexico.

He pointed out that Ontario is the top exporter to 17 states and the second largest to 11 others, stating that it's unfortunate because retaliation is not good for either country.

"Ford stated that his goal is to create more jobs in the U.S. and Canada, and he believes that this can be achieved by imposing tariffs on countries like China."

Someone in Texas who bought a GM pickup truck made in Oshawa, Ontario might have paid between $50,000 and $60,000, but with a tariff, they would be paying around $70,000.

"It just doesn’t make sense whatsoever," Ford said.

Ford desires to have a face-to-face meeting with Trump and has contacted U.S. senators and governors to make it happen. Additionally, Ford wants to meet with SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who was appointed by Trump to co-lead the proposed "Department of Government Efficiency" along with former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy.

Ford stated that Trump is unaware that Ontario is the third-largest trading partner of the U.S., with a value of approximately US$344 billion in 2023, and is divided equally.

Ontario's premier stated that he intends to increase the shipment of electricity and vital minerals to the U.S., as it is "essential to our needs as much as we are to theirs."

In 2012, the premier and his late brother, who was mayor of Toronto at the time, met Trump and his daughter, Ivanka, when they were in the city to open the former Trump International Hotel and Tower, now unaffiliated with The Trump Organization and known as The St. Regis Toronto.

Ford, who previously ran a family business in Toronto and later entered municipal politics, views Trump as a skilled operator and a savvy businessperson.

The incoming president "knows about Ontario," the premier said.

No senator, governor, congressperson, or businessperson has stated that Canada is an issue, according to Ford, who established a Deco branch in Chicago in 1999.

Trump has not set his sights on the United Kingdom and France as other U.S. allies, but instead wants to target Canada, his closest friend.

Ontario's premier stated that he is uncertain if his criticism of Trudeau is personal, but Trudeau's impending departure may lead to a better conversation. He also mentioned that he might consider running for federal politics in the future.

On Monday, Trump tweeted on Truth Social that "the US cannot continue to endure the significant trade deficits and subsidies that Canada requires to remain solvent."

The 47th U.S. president stated that Justin Trudeau is aware of this and resigned.

The prime minister, Trudeau, will meet with Ford and the premiers of the other nine provinces and three territories next Wednesday in Ottawa to discuss the Trump tariff issue.

Although Trudeau will no longer be prime minister in the next two months when the next Liberal leader is chosen, Ford advised him not to believe that he is "off the hook" and that Canadian premiers will still hold him accountable for ensuring that Canada is prepared to respond to the Trump administration's imminent and punitive trade measures.

The Council of the Federation, chaired by him, is a forum of Canada's premiers that prioritizes avoiding U.S. tariffs and keeps Canada-U.S. relations at the forefront, as stated in a recent release.

"Canada and the U.S. share a massive integrated market, with over C$3.5 billion (US$2.4 billion) worth of goods and services exchanged daily across their border. In fact, the U.S. sells more goods and services to Canada than it does to China, Japan, and Germany combined."

The premier of Ford's government announced "Operation Deterrence" on Tuesday to address Trump's concerns about border security by targeting illegal crossings, drugs, and guns, which account for 90% of such entries into Ontario from the U.S.

His government is working with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to trace the origin of fentanyl ingredients, whether they come from "China, Mexico, or the U.S."

Last month, the Trudeau government announced its own border-security plan.