Reference News Network, July 25 report - According to the Bloomberg News website on July 22, Ontario, Canada's largest province, Premier Doug Ford once again called on the public to buy "all Canadian-made products" in an attempt to pressure the United States into negotiating a trade agreement and removing tariffs.

Ford also hosted a provincial premier meeting this week. He stated that Canada should make full use of its position as the largest customer of the United States. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also attended this meeting, holding discussions with provincial leaders.

Trudeau will send the minister responsible for Canada-US trade, Dominic Leblanc, to Washington to negotiate with the Trump administration. The Trump administration has threatened to impose 35% tariffs on certain Canadian goods if a deal is not reached before the August 1 deadline set by Trump. However, the president and his officials have sent contradictory signals about whether they want to sign an agreement or continue imposing unilateral tariffs on trade partners.

Ford told reporters on the 21st: "We encourage all provinces and regions to start buying Canadian-made cars and everything made in Canada - this will have the greatest impact."

According to the Bank of Canada's quarterly household survey released on the 21st, Canadians said they are increasing their boycott of travel to the US and American products in response to the tariffs. About 55% of respondents said they have reduced spending on vacations in the US. About 63% of respondents said they are reducing purchases of American products.

Ford said: "We are their number one customer. We buy more from the US than the total of Japan, China, South Korea, the UK, and France. Therefore, we are an economic power, and we don't have to be subordinate to any side." He also said he hopes Ontario will begin producing steel beams for construction, as well as aluminum cans for soft drinks and beer.

Trump raised tariffs on imported steel and aluminum to 50% in June. The Canadian steel industry has seen layoffs and a significant drop in shipments. The Trudeau government announced a plan last week to limit steel imports to help domestic producers. However, according to an influential steel industry executive, the plan is still far from sufficient.

The Ontario government committed 1.3 billion Canadian dollars (about 950 million US dollars) in May to help manufacturers through increased tax credits for products made in the province. The government said that about 830,000 people in the province are employed in manufacturing, which accounts for about 10% of the total employment.

Faced with Trump's trade war, provincial premiers across Canada have basically reached a consensus. Their summer meetings will mainly discuss how to increase trade between provinces and advance large infrastructure projects such as ports to enhance Canada's economic independence.

Although the existing trade agreements signed by Trump during his first term basically allow tariff-free trade between the US, Mexico, and Canada, it seems that Trudeau and some provincial leaders have accepted the reality that Canadian products exported to the US will at least face some tariffs. Trudeau said last week that there is little evidence to suggest that Trump wants to reach an agreement that completely eliminates tariffs.

According to EFE on July 22, Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau emphasized on the 22nd that he would only accept a tariff agreement that is most beneficial to Canada. The US had previously threatened to impose 35% tariffs on Canada starting August 1.

Trudeau said during a meeting with provincial premiers: "We are seeking an agreement most favorable to Canada. We will only accept the best agreement."

He said the meeting aimed to discuss the trade relationship and the measures Ottawa could take to strengthen its economy.

Trudeau also said: "We realize that the global trade environment is changing, and some countries are shrinking and limiting market access, but more countries are opening up to the market." He also expressed satisfaction with the initiatives that provinces have taken with Europe and "global partners" individually.

Trudeau emphasized that he hopes to evaluate how to better coordinate "building positive trade relationships with reliable partners". (Translated by Wang Diqing, Liu Lifi)

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