Ontario premier says he doesn't trust Trump and warns the US president could reopen trade pact

Key Points

• Ontario Premier Doug Ford expressed distrust in U.S. President Donald Trump, anticipating he might reopen trade agreements this fall.
• A recent 35% tariff on Canadian goods not covered by the USMCA was implemented after failed negotiations, intensifying trade tensions.
• Ford believes Trump is likely to act before the formal review of the trade agreement scheduled for next year, indicating uncertainty in future trade relations.
• Despite existing tariffs, 85% of trade with the U.S. remains tariff-free due to the USMCA, but sector-specific tariffs are still being enforced.

TORONTO (AP) — The leader of Canada’s most populous province said Wednesday he doesn’t trust U.S. President Donald Trump and expects the president to soon reopen the free trade agreement he agreed to in his first term.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford said the federal government needs to prepare for that to happen this fall.

Ford made the comments after the country’s provincial premiers and Prime Minister Mark Carney met in private for the first time since Trump escalated his trade war by hitting Canada with a baseline 35% tariff last week.

The new tariff, which took effect on Friday after the two countries failed to hit an Aug. 1 deadline to secure a new trade agreement, applies only to goods not covered by the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement that Trump negotiated during his first term.

Trump previously hailed the agreement as “the fairest, most balanced and beneficial trade agreement we have ever signed. "

Carney has said about 85% of trade with the U.S. remains tariff-free because of USMCA.

Ford said Trump likely won’t wait for the scheduled review of the agreement next year.

“He’s not waiting until 2026. At any given time, President Trump — not that he even follows the rules — he can pull the carpet out from underneath us,” Ford told reporters in Toronto Wednesday.

“I’m going to ask the people, do you trust President Trump? I don’t.”

Carney told a press conference on Tuesday that he has not talked to Trump in recent days but would speak with him “when it makes sense.”

Sector-specific tariffs on Canada, like the 50% duty on steel, aluminum and copper, remain in place.

Carney also suggested he may lift counter-tariffs if that helps Canada in the ongoing trade dispute.