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As Trump’s Friday deadline for increasing levies on Canadian products loomed, the Ontario premier stressed “we can kick back” against the mercurial American president.

“Prime Minister Carney is trying his best, but this guy (Trump) will say something one day, and he’ll wake up — and the cheese slips off the cracker — and then all of a sudden he goes the other way,” said Ford in comments made hours before the White House said 35 per cent tariffs would be slapped on some Canadian products.

“And you’re thinking, ‘How do you deal with a guy like this?’”

The premier said Canada has no choice but to “on-shore” more products that it currently imports from the U.S. in order to become less reliant on its largest trading partner.

“Are we hoping that we can get a deal with zero tariffs? Yes, but I always say how can we kick back — and it’s not the American people — kick back at President Trump,” he said.

“Let’s start on-shoring absolutely everything we possibly can, like … those big steel I-beams (used in building construction) … and aluminum cans.”

Noting “we’re the kings of aluminum in Quebec,” Ford said Canadian companies are soon going to be manufacturing beverage cans here, using domestic raw materials.

“They’re going to lose a billion dollars worth of a business in the U.S. We don’t have to take a back seat to anyone in the world, and we sure as heck don’t have take a back seat to President Trump,” he said.

“He needs to remember we’re … their number one customer.”

Later Thursday, Ford took to social media to denounce Trump’s tariff hike.

“The increase in U.S. tariffs to 35 per cent is concerning, especially with tariffs still in place on steel, aluminum, autos, forestry and now copper,” he wrote.

“While Canada continues to benefit from zero tariffs on all trade that’s USMCA compliant, representing over 90 per cent of our American exports, we need to do everything in our power to protect workers, businesses and communities from the impact of tariffs,” Ford continued.

“The federal government needs to hit back with a 50 per cent tariff on U.S. steel and aluminum. Canadian workers and businesses are desperate for certainty. Let’s work together, united, to deliver it.”

Ford and Carney have become close political allies thanks to Trump’s threats. Both leaders won elections this year promising to stand up against American tariffs.

Last week, the prime minister not only accepted the premier’s invitation to attend the Council of the Federation meeting at Deerhurst Resort, but he also ended up staying at Ford’s cottage south of Huntsville.