Friday November 15, 2024

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday November 15, 2024

Doug Ford’s Trump Imitation Is a Risky Gamble

Doug Ford is making a bold but dangerous bet. By accusing Mexico of acting as a “backdoor” for cheap Chinese goods and floating the idea of booting it from the USMCA, the Ontario Premier has aligned himself with Donald Trump’s protectionist rhetoric. The move is as strategic as it is risky—Ford clearly hopes to avoid Ontario becoming collateral damage in Trump’s sweeping tariff policies. Yet in doing so, he risks undermining key trade relationships, alienating allies, and leaving Ontario’s economy at the mercy of an unpredictable U.S. president.

The timing of Ford’s comments is no coincidence. Just days after Trump’s historic election victory, Ford’s rhetoric mirrors the talking points Trump hammered home on the campaign trail. Trump’s grievances with Mexico—ranging from trade to border security—are well-documented, and Ford’s remarks seem calibrated to place Ontario in the incoming administration’s good graces. By parroting Trump’s complaint that Mexico is facilitating China’s infiltration of North American markets, Ford appears to be playing the long game, angling for Ontario to benefit from any renegotiation of the USMCA in 2026.

However, this calculated mimicry comes with significant risks. Mexico is Canada’s fifth-largest trade partner, and Ford’s aggressive stance could jeopardize the stability of this relationship. As Kenneth Smith Ramos, Mexico’s chief negotiator for the USMCA, has pointed out, Canada has mechanisms within the trade agreement to address concerns about unfair practices. Yet Ottawa has not taken such steps, suggesting Ford’s rhetoric is more about political posturing than substance. By undermining Mexico, Ford risks alienating a key ally and disrupting supply chains that are critical to Ontario’s auto industry.

Opinion: Doug Ford’s diplomatic foray has all the tact of a wrecking ball

Ford’s approach also overlooks the complex realities of trade and industry. While he focuses on cheap Chinese imports, he ignores the deeper challenges facing Ontario’s manufacturing sector, including automation and the lack of domestic innovation. As David Moscrop noted in the National Observer, the global push for cheaper goods and faster production has already led to job losses, and protectionism alone will not shield Ontario workers from these trends. Ford’s comments may appeal to those anxious about job security, but they offer little in the way of meaningful solutions.

Moreover, Ford’s Trumpian rhetoric could backfire spectacularly. Trump’s protectionist worldview treats trade as a zero-sum game, and his administration has been known to turn on allies. Ford’s overtures to Trump might shield Ontario in the short term, but they offer no guarantees. Trump’s promise of across-the-board tariffs of up to 20 percent would be disastrous for Canada, and Ford’s antagonistic stance toward Mexico could leave Ontario more isolated, not less.

News: Ontario Premier calls Mexico a ‘backdoor’ for cheap Chinese imports

Even within Canada, Ford’s comments have raised eyebrows. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has taken a more cautious approach, emphasizing collaboration with both the U.S. and Mexico to address trade concerns. While Trudeau has not directly criticized Ford, his government’s silence suggests a lack of enthusiasm for the Premier’s inflammatory remarks. Critics have also questioned whether Ford’s focus on international trade distracts from pressing domestic issues, such as housing and healthcare.

Ford’s strategy might make sense as a short-term political maneuver, but it is a risky gamble for Ontario’s economy. Mexico has been a cooperative partner under the USMCA, and Ford’s combative rhetoric risks upsetting the balance of the agreement. His Trump-like bluster may win him points with certain voters, but it offers little in the way of practical solutions for the challenges facing Ontario’s industries.

Ultimately, Ford’s decision to mimic Trump could leave Ontario exposed to economic instability and at the mercy of an unpredictable ally. Instead of thoughtful diplomacy, Ford has chosen the path of bombast and brinkmanship. It’s a risky move that could do more harm than good—not just for Ontario, but for Canada’s place in the North American trade partnership. If Ford truly wants to protect Ontario’s workers and industries, he must find a way to navigate the complexities of trade with caution and diplomacy, not reckless imitation.