Canada's Doug Ford on why country needs to "fight back" against Trump trade war

Ontario Premier Doug Ford is urging Canada to "fight back" against what he calls President Trump's damaging trade war, asserting that the tariffs are increasing prices for American consumers.

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We have to make sure that there's certainty that will create jobs and opportunities and production and lower cost of goods. Well, that was the total opposite.

"We have to make sure that there's certainty that will create jobs and opportunities and production and lower cost of goods. Well, that was the total opposite," Ford told CBS News in an interview. He highlighted that the U.S. is Canada's number one customer, and vice versa, making the trade conflict unnecessary and harmful to both economies.

Ford's comments come as the U.S. prepares to implement new 50% tariffs on a range of Canadian goods, including alcohol and hockey sticks, starting next month. In response, Canada has canceled invitations for U.S. officials to attend the upcoming opening of the Gordie Howe Bridge, a significant infrastructure project connecting Detroit and Windsor, Ontario.

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President Trump decided to go after his close ally and friend, his No. 1 customer in the entire world.

The bridge, funded by Canada, is set to open Monday. Ford emphasized the economic importance of the Canada-U.S. trade relationship, which involves over $52 billion in two-way trade annually and supports tens of thousands of jobs on both sides of the border. He argued that protectionism, as practiced by the Trump administration, does not benefit any country.

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Protectionism does not work anywhere in the world.