Ontario's Doug Ford says Trump is "treating us like we're Communist China"

Ontario Premier Doug Ford sharply criticized U.S. President Donald Trump's approach to trade negotiations, stating that Trump is treating Canada, a close ally, as if it were "Communist China."

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He's treating us like we're Communist China here.

Ford's comments came amid a burgeoning trade war between the U.S. and Canada, which saw the Trump administration impose 50% tariffs on approximately $20 billion worth of Canadian goods. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney responded by vowing to retaliate with equivalent tariffs on U.S. goods starting September 8.

"We're the closest friends and allies that the U.S. has anywhere in the entire world, and I want to keep it that way," Ford told CBS News chief Washington correspondent Major Garrett. He expressed hope that Canadian officials and Trump's team could reach an agreement, but cautioned that "no deal is better than a bad deal."

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We're the closest friends and allies that the U.S. has anywhere in the entire world, and I want to keep it that way.

The dispute threatens billions in annual trade. Trump has also threatened further tariffs on Canadian automotive and steel imports, accusing Canada of unfair trade practices. Ford called these tariffs an "unprovoked attack on Canadians." He also stated that Trump's suggestion of renaming Lake Ontario to "Lake America" was laughable, asserting it would always remain Lake Ontario in Canada.

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no deal is better than a bad deal.

Trump administration officials have blamed Canadian negotiators for the collapse of talks, citing last-minute demands. However, Ford countered that Washington "kept changing the goalposts," leading to repeated shifts in negotiation terms. He expressed a preference for dealing with a close friend and ally over engaging with countries like China and Russia.

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It's always going to be Lake Ontario here in Canada. … If he wants to name it Lake America, Lake Trump, whatever he wants to do, that's his prerogative.