Doug Ford tells Trump 'kiss my ass' as trade war with U.S. heats up

The ongoing Canada-U.S. trade war heated up on Monday as Premier Doug Ford and U.S. President Donald Trump exchanged a series of fiery remarks, as tensions continued to escalate over tariffs.

The latest round of the trade dispute comes after 50 per cent U.S. tariffs on roughly $28 billion worth of Canadian goods came into effect early Saturday, following weeks of threats and tense negotiations. The tariffs apply to several Canadian exports, including steel, aluminum, and automotive products.

Prime Minister Mark Carney previously suspended negotiations with the U.S. on Friday, and said that Canada plans to impose "dollar for dollar" retaliatory tariffs on American goods starting on Sept. 8.

On Monday morning, Ford responded to Trump's latest tariff threats in an interview with Newstalk 580 CFRA. "He can kiss my ass as far as I'm concerned," Ford told host Bill Carroll, referring to the U.S. President. "We are going to go at him full steam. He's arrogant. He's cocky."

Doug Ford on telling Trump to kiss his ass: "I have a lot of real estate on my ass, so he has a lot of room to kiss my ass." pic.twitter.com/IrwxxrPMEI

— Scott Robertson (@sarobertson_) August 24, 2026

Trump had announced earlier Monday that the U.S. would increase tariffs on Canadian automobiles, automotive parts, and steel to 50 per cent, starting Jan. 1, 2027.

"Build in the U.S. and there are ZERO TARIFFS. Canada will be treated like a State no longer! On Trade, and in other ways, also, they are among the worst Nations in the World to deal with," Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform on Monday.

"They feel entitled, and yet, WE DON'T NEED CANADA, THEY NEED US! They do 95% of their business with the U.S., with us, the exact opposite! Thank you for your attention to this matter!"

Ford continued to double down on his criticism of Trump during a news conference in Hamilton, calling the U.S. president a "dictator," and the "king of bankruptcies."

"I don't respond to a dictator like President Trump. He's the type of guy in school that would take your lunch money one day, take your toque off your head the next day and then steal your running shoes," Ford said at the news conference.

Ford also expressed that he would be willing to cut off electricity and critical minerals to the U.S., as the province currently sends power to over a million people in New York, Minnesota and Michigan.

Trump responded directly to Ford's comments on Monday afternoon with another post on Truth Social, referring to him as "Flunky Ford," and referring to him as the "less charismatic, intelligent, and overall unimpressive brother of the late, great, Rob Ford."

Ford continued to fire back, saying, "I am going to be reaching out to every single governor, every single senator and every single senator and when it comes to the midterms, I have a message to the Americans: don't vote in a person that is going to kill your jobs."

Meanwhile, U.S. Vice President JD Vance said on Monday that negotiations between Canada and the U.S. are ongoing.

"They came in with a bunch of unreasonable last-minute demands," Vance told an audience in Maine. "I think that we should have a deal, but I think that we need to send a message loud and clear to the Prime Minister of Canada: stop taking advantage of the people of Maine. Stop taking advantage of America. It's over. We expect fairness in our trade policy."

The Ontario government also announced on Monday that it is immediately expanding eligibility for the Protect Ontario Financing Program (POFP) in response to the latest tariffs. The province says the expansion will support businesses whose exports are impacted by the new 50 per cent spike, as well as those who are still subject to the existing tariffs on steel, aluminum, copper, and automotive.

"Our government will do whatever it takes to stand up for Ontario workers and protect their jobs and paycheques as we face down this latest economic attack from President Trump," said Premier Doug Ford. "Now more than ever, Team Canada needs to deliver on our shared commitment to build the most competitive and resilient economy in the G7, so we can attract investment, create jobs and protect workers and their families for decades to come."