Ontario's Doug Ford says Trump is "treating us like we're Communist China"

In a recent interview with CBS News, Ontario Premier Doug Ford expressed concern that President Trump is treating Canada like Communist China during their trade dispute. Ford emphasized that Canada and the U.S. are the closest friends and allies in the world, and he hopes both nations can reach a fair deal. However, without a deal, the U.S. has imposed 50% tariffs on approximately $20 billion worth of Canadian goods, with Canada responding in kind with the same tariffs on certain U.S. products starting on September 8.

The trade conflict has already led to threats of renaming Lake Ontario to "Lake America" by Trump and Ford calling the U.S. president a "dictator." The dispute threatens billions in annual trade between the two countries, particularly in automotive and steel imports. Trump has also threatened further tariffs on Canadian automotive and steel imports starting next year.

Ford has acknowledged that the trade war will cause pain for both nations, but he is confident that Canada, with its financial stability and diversifying trade partners, can withstand the impact better than the U.S., which has a $40 trillion national debt.