Ontario Premier Doug Ford concerned about auto tariff impact
Posted April 3, 2025 11:35 am.
Last Updated April 3, 2025 5:40 pm.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford says he was relieved to see Canada is not facing any of U.S. President Donald Trump’s new “reciprocal” tariffs, but he is still very concerned about the province’s auto sector.
While the White House says Canada and Mexico are not subject to Trump’s latest tariffs, they remain under previous economywide duties the president has linked to the flow of fentanyl across the borders.
As well, 25 per cent duties on automobile imports into the U.S. come into effect today.
Ford says while vehicles made in Canada will likely be hit with tariffs at a lower level, depending on the percentage of American parts in them, the threat to Ontario’s auto sector is still very high.
Today, Stellantis announced that it is temporarily pausing production at its assembly plant in Windsor, Ont., for two weeks as it assesses the effects of the tariffs.
“I’ve been saying it all along, I thought it would last about a week, but obviously it’s right down to days now for the supply chain. I’ve been saying this over and over: a tariff on Canada is a tax on Americans. I mentioned Termination Day, there’s a perfect example,” said Ford.
Ford says he is expecting the federal government will support affected workers, but he hopes the shutdown is only temporary.
Ford reiterated that existing countermeasures in Ontario, like the removal of U.S. alcohol from the shelves at LCBO locations, will remain in effect. The province has no plans to allow American companies to bid on contracts either.
