Ontario Prime Minister Doug Ford praised Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on Thursday as “positive” and “productive” after a public rift over tariffs on imported goods.
“We've shared an incredible amount of scenery many times, and I feel very positive,” Ford told reporters outside the US Department of Commerce.
“I look forward to getting in touch again next week, but to be honest, I can say that this was the best meeting I've ever had here,” he added.
The two are scheduled to meet again next week.
“Now, Secretary Rutnick is a perceived businessman, a wise negotiator, and he is doing the right thing for his country. I am doing the right thing for my state.
Ford was a defender of Canadian voices of retaliation efforts against President Trump's tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, among other things.
The Ontario Prime Minister temporarily vowed to impose a 25% extra charge on electricity in three provinces last week, but has retreated from efforts after Trump threatened to tighten the country's taxes during the April 2nd mutual tariff announcement.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average and the S&P 500 fell as a result of a turbulent trade war.
Trump had previously suggested that Canada should “become a 51st state,” but soon Northern neighbour Prime Minister Mark Carney said on Sunday that “Canada will never become a part of America in shape, shape or form.”
Lutonic also reflects Trump's comments that Canada is becoming a US state and is merging the economies of the two countries.
