Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Prime Minister Mark Carney have expressed a united front in addressing U.S. tariffs, despite differing views on immediate retaliation. During an announcement regarding small nuclear reactors, Ford acknowledged the challenges of negotiating with U.S. President Donald Trump, stating, "It’s a lot tougher when sitting across from [him] with a big hammer in his hand." He emphasized their shared goal of protecting Canadians and their jobs, asserting, "I can assure you we’re on the same page."

Ford praised Carney as an effective dealmaker, calling him an "extremely bright businessperson" and expressing full confidence in his abilities. Carney echoed Ford's sentiments, reinforcing their alignment on trade issues. This collaboration comes after Ford's recent frustrations over U.S. tariffs, which he described as driving investment away from Canada. He specifically referenced Stellantis's decision to shift production of the Jeep Compass from Ontario to the U.S.

In response to Ford's call for a more aggressive stance, Carney stated that now is not the time for retaliation. "There’s time to hit back and there’s time to talk. And right now, it’s time to talk," he said, highlighting ongoing negotiations focused on a sectoral deal for steel, aluminum, and energy. Carney noted that discussions are detailed and constructive, but he did not provide a timeline for a potential agreement.

Carney mentioned that the U.S. is adopting a sector-by-sector approach to trade, which will be further examined during the upcoming review of the CUSMA free trade agreement. He warned that if progress is not made, Canada may need to protect its market from unfair access. "We’re not at that point, but we’ll do what’s right, in lockstep, together," he said.

The impact of U.S. tariffs has been significant, particularly on Ontario's auto sector. Carney addressed General Motors' recent decision to halt production of BrightDrop electric delivery vans in Ingersoll, Ontario, attributing it to both market conditions and tariff issues. Ford urged GM's CEO to reconsider the decision, suggesting it could alienate Canadian consumers.

The announcement at the Darlington plant in Bowmanville included a commitment of $2 billion from the federal government and $1 billion from the Ontario government to develop small nuclear reactors. Carney described the project as a "generational investment" that would position Canada as the first G7 country to implement this technology. Ford highlighted the potential for job creation, estimating that the project could generate 18,000 jobs during construction and contribute over $38 billion to Canada’s GDP over the next 65 years. He emphasized the importance of this investment amid ongoing economic challenges, stating, "With tariffs and economic uncertainty hammering Ontario’s workers and businesses, this is exactly the sort of investment our province needs."