Ontario Premier Doug Ford used a major real estate event to continue his attacks on American President

Donald Trump ‘s tariff war with Canada and also took aim at Republicans for not standing up to their political leader. Ford, who has been outspoken about the impact of tariffs on both sides of the border, said his government will unveil a new advertising campaign aimed at Americans.

“Republicans have told me they are too scared to go out there because they will be defeated in the next election,” Ford told a crowd that included the Mayor of Cleveland, in town to attend an annual conference put on by NAIOP, the Commercial Real Estate Development Association.

“I want to welcome our American friends here,” said Ford. “I always say I love the U.S. and I love America. I spent 20 years of my life running my businesses in Chicago and New Jersey. There is one person we are having a dispute with now, President Trump.”

The premier said the province will be running an advertising campaign across the United States.

“It’s not a negative commercial, I don’t believe in negative commercials,” said Ford, adding that Americans need to hear “the real story” about how tariffs are affecting both the American and Canadian economies.

The Ontario premier said the impact of tariffs is already being felt in the automotive sector, where “billions of dollars” are being lost.

“I believe in the American-Canadian fortress,” said Ford, who argued the U.S. has a

trade surplus with Canada once “discounted oil” is factored. “It’s a $60 billion surplus and I’m okay with that.”

He said the impact of tariffs is inflation growing in the United States, and he predicted more of that in the future, but said removing tariffs would counter that. He also called for interest rate cuts from central banks.

“I don’t believe in personal attacks, but we have to tell the American people the real story that it is hurting the economy down there and hurting the Canadian economy,” said Ford, warning the United States should be more concerned about China.

The premier said he has directed the province to buy $200 billion in Ontario goods even though he doesn’t believe in such protectionist measures.

“I believe we should open up the borders. We should have free trade, but when your country, your people are under economic attack by one person…” said Ford, adding he talked to Democrats and Republicans, both senators and governors, daily, and they don’t want to proceed with tariffs.

The Ontario premier also reiterated his pledge to bring government employees back to the office five days a week by January 2026 and applauded cities in Ottawa and Brampton for doing the same.

  • Why some of Canada’s biggest pensions are slamming the brakes on U.S. real estate investment
  • Ottawa launches $5-billion fund to help businesses adapt to economic ‘rupture’ with U.S.

“Bringing workers back to the office full-time supports small businesses and economic growth in our downtowns,” said the premier. “It brings our public servants closer to the people they serve. I encourage all municipalities to follow, as well as the federal government.”