July 22, 2025
RED FM News Desk
Prime Minister Mark Carney says he’ll brief Canada’s premiers on the latest developments in trade negotiations with the United States as they gather this morning in Ontario’s cottage country.
Carney emphasized that Canada will not settle for anything less than a fair agreement, adding that Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc will be in Washington, D.C., in the coming days to continue talks. “We are only going to accept the best deal for Canada,” he said.
The premiers are meeting with a dual focus: eliminating domestic trade barriers and preparing for escalating tensions with the U.S., following President Donald Trump’s threat to slap 35 per cent tariffs on a broad range of Canadian products starting August 1.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford renewed his call for a firm response, saying Canada should match any U.S. tariffs “dollar for dollar.” Ford stressed that standing firm is the only language Trump understands and urged the federal government to be ready to support Canadian industries that may be impacted.
Ford also pushed for boosting domestic manufacturing capacity, arguing Canada must onshore production of key goods like aluminum cans and steel beams to shield itself from future trade disruptions.
Chairing the Council of the Federation, Ford praised Carney for backing the provinces during turbulent times. “It’s refreshing to work with a prime minister who has our backs,” he said.
Carney, in turn, applauded the premiers for the progress they’ve made on internal trade, highlighting several agreements aimed at improving interprovincial market access.
Earlier Tuesday morning, Ford joined Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe in announcing a new memorandum of understanding (MOU) focused on energy and infrastructure. The agreement calls for new pipelines constructed with Ontario-made steel and proposes rail expansions to transport critical minerals from proposed mining operations in Ontario’s Ring of Fire region to markets in Western Canada.
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