Canadian Politician Slams Trump's 25% Tariff Plan Saying The Country is 'No Mexico'

Ontario Premier Doug Ford responded to President-elect Donald Trump's promised 25% tariff on Canadian and Mexican imports, describing them as potentially "devastating" and Trump's announcement as "a family member stabbing you right in the heart."

"What I found unfair about the comments, is to compare us to Mexico," he said, adding that "Canada is no Mexico."

Despite being offended by the comparison, Ford agreed to "take the necessary steps" to "secure [Canada's] borders" and cited the roughly $500 billion in annual trade between the U.S. and Ontario.

Ford added that he had spoken to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, whom he urged to call an "urgent meeting" with all premiers. "A 25% tariff would be devastating to workers and jobs in both Canada and the U.S.," he said. "The federal government needs to take the situation at our border seriously."

In his viral tariff announcement, Trump blamed Canada's and Mexico's "open borders" for bringing "crime and drugs at levels never seen before."

"On January 20th, as one of my many first Executive Orders, I will sign all necessary documents to charge Mexico and Canada a 25% Tariff on ALL products coming into the United States, and its ridiculous Open Borders," Trump wrote.

The Republican President-elect added that the promised tariffs would remain in effect until the "invasion" of "drugs" and "illegal aliens" stops. He concluded by saying both countries will "pay a very big price" until that happens.

Responding to the threats, Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum wrote a letter to Trump, warning him of a potential "counter-tariff" on U.S. goods entering Mexico.

In her letter, Sheinbaum emphasized that economic sanctions would be ineffective in addressing the drug and immigration crises impacting both nations and would instead "jeopardize shared industries." She also described the United States's drug crisis as a "national public health issue" and blamed U.S. drug demand and illegal firearm trafficking for impulsing drug violence in Mexico.

While Trump has promised Americans his economic sanctions will strengthen the country's economy and boost American businesses, political experts have criticized his plans suggesting they might actually have the opposite effect.