Ford is facing fierce backlash after saying President Trump can 'kiss his ass' amid ongoing trade tensions.

 

Ontario Premier Doug Ford isn't Canada's trade negotiator, but you wouldn't know it from listening to him.

After Prime Minister Mark Carney walked away from trade negotiations with the United States, Ford told U.S. President Donald Trump to “kiss my ass,” demanded that America’s economy “feel the pain,” and declared that “everything needs to be on the table.”

And by everything, Ford doesn't just mean Ontario's economy.

He wants Alberta oil and gas, Saskatchewan potash and uranium, and the jobs and investment attached to those industries put into the line of fire too.

“I can’t do this alone, folks. I need every premier playing on Team Canada,” Ford said, before naming electricity, oil, potash and uranium as potential weapons against the United States.

There are a couple of problems with Ford's chest-thumping.

First, he isn't conducting Canada's trade negotiations. International trade negotiations are a federal responsibility. Ford can advise Ottawa, lobby Prime Minister Mark Carney and defend Ontario's interests, but he isn't Canada's chief negotiator.

Second, Alberta oil and Saskatchewan potash and uranium aren't his resources to volunteer.

And third, Ford's own mouth has already played a role in escalating Canada's trade tensions with Washington.

Last year, Ford's government independently ran an anti-tariff television advertisement in the United States using Ronald Reagan's words. Trump responded by terminating trade negotiations with Canada.

Ford previously imposed a 25% surcharge on Ontario electricity exports to Michigan, Minnesota and New York, only to withdraw it one day later after Trump threatened to double tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum.

Now Ford is back demanding America “feel the pain.”

Except this time, he wants Alberta and Saskatchewan to help absorb the consequences.

Ontario electricity is “ours.” Alberta oil is apparently everybody's.

Ford's own language exposes the double standard. When discussing Ontario electricity, Ford called it “our electricity.” Then he immediately moved on to “the oil,” “potash” and “uranium.”

Whose oil?

Whose potash?

Whose uranium?

Alberta and Saskatchewan might have something to say about that. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith told Ford cutting off energy exports from Alberta is "not a viable option."

Section 92A of the Constitution Act gives provinces exclusive legislative authority over the exploration, development, conservation and management of non-renewable natural resources within their borders.

Most mineral rights in Alberta belong to the Alberta Crown. Saskatchewan likewise owns and administers vast Crown mineral resources.

Ottawa retains important constitutional powers over international and interprovincial trade, including powers that can affect resource exports.

Doug Ford does not.

Ford wants to put industries currently spared from the tariffs into the fight

The current 50% American tariffs target roughly $28 billion in Canadian goods.

But energy, potash and certain critical minerals are excluded.

Instead of protecting Canadian industries that have so far avoided the worst of the trade war, Ford wants Ottawa to consider turning those industries into weapons against Washington.

Canada supplied roughly 63% of U.S. crude oil imports in 2025 and nearly all of its imported natural gas. Saskatchewan potash is critical to American agriculture. Pulling that lever risks retaliation, lost customers, delayed investment and Canadian jobs.

Those consequences won't primarily land in downtown Toronto.

They'll land in places like Fort McMurray, Grande Prairie, Lloydminster and Saskatchewan's mining communities.

Ford has crossed from defending Ontario into publicly freelancing Canadian trade policy.Ford now wants the U.S. economy to “feel the pain” and says “everything” should be on the table.

Fine.

Start with your own table.

If Ford wants to gamble with Ontario electricity, Ontario voters can judge the results.

Alberta oil and gas aren't Doug Ford's political poker chips. Saskatchewan potash and uranium aren't his either.

Neither are the thousands of Western Canadian jobs that depend on them.