Canada’s hatred of Trump reaches a fever pitch: ‘Jumped up and down with joy’ [U.S. Midterms]

\ \ [Financial News] Cheers rang out in Canada, embroiled in a trade dispute with the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, as the results of this U.S. midterm election came in. Ontario Premier Doug Ford went so far as to say, “Jumped up and down with joy.” He also celebrated Trump’s crushing election defeat as “a victory for Canada.”
According to the UK’s Financial Times (FT) on the 4th (local time), Ford said, “As soon as I am sworn in, I will instruct Ontario ministers to head to Washington and reach out to members of the House and Senate.” He has been a leading opponent of Trump’s tariff policies targeting Ontario’s auto and steel industries.
Trump had previously kept up his offensive, imposing punishing tariffs on the steel, aluminum, forestry and auto industries. The Canadian government responded with retaliatory tariffs of its own, and in this midterm election Republican support in areas bordering Canada, including Maine and Michigan, was badly shaken.
Brian Rathbun, a professor at the University of Toronto’s Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, told the FT that “overreach against allies fueled resentment over the government’s incompetence and high-handed attitude.” He predicted that “Trump’s lame-duck status and waning influence will significantly strengthen Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s bargaining power.”
[email protected] Hong Chae-wan Reporter