Ontario Premier Doug Ford has expressed satisfaction with the recent ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court to invalidate several tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump in his second term. Despite this positive development, concerns persist for the province and the country.
The U.S. Supreme Court decision on Friday annulled the tariffs enforced by Trump under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977. In response, Trump utilized Section 122 of the U.S. Trade Act to introduce a new global tariff, initially set at 10%, but later increased to 15% following a comprehensive review post the court ruling.
Trade between Canada and the U.S. was largely unaffected by these tariffs due to the provisions of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA).
During a press briefing at Queen’s Park on Monday, Ford acknowledged that while certain Canadian sectors still face tariffs, he viewed the Supreme Court’s decision positively. He emphasized that President Trump retains various negotiation tools for the upcoming CUSMA talks and the separate tariffs imposed under Section 232 of the U.S. Trade Expansion Act.
Ford reiterated his stance against tariffs during an interview with CNN, highlighting the adverse impacts of the trade dispute on businesses and jobs on both sides of the border. Ontario Chamber of Commerce president and CEO Daniel Tisch echoed similar sentiments, stating that the Supreme Court’s ruling brings more stability by curbing the unpredictability associated with the presidency.
Tisch expressed confidence in bipartisan support within the U.S. Congress for maintaining free trade with Canada. Ford expressed eagerness for the U.S. midterm elections in light of the recent decision, advocating for Canadian premiers to engage with American lawmakers to address the uncertainties stemming from Trump’s trade policies. Additionally, Ford disclosed plans to visit U.S. state governors in the near future to discuss these issues.
In the interim, Ontario remains committed to diversifying its trade beyond the U.S. and attracting investments across sectors such as nuclear, manufacturing, healthcare, skilled trades, and mining.
