Premier Doug Ford says he needs a "clear mandate" from Ontario voters to wage an economic battle against potentially devastating tariffs U.S. President Donald Trump says could come on Feb. 1.

“This is going to be for four years with Donald Trump. He wants to undermine us any which way he can. He wants to take jobs away from Ontarians. He wants to attract businesses from Ontario to come down to the United States,” Ford told reporters at Queen’s Park on Monday.

IN 2018, THE EUROPEAN UNION IMPOSED A 25% TAX ON AMERICAN WHISKEYS IN RESPONSE TO U.S. TARIFFS ON IMPORTED STEEL AND ALUMINUM. SO

The Ontario premier’s dire prediction comes as he and other provincial and territorial leaders meet Wednesday in Ottawa with Justin Trudeau.

Addressing a national response to threats of 25 per cent tariffs by incoming U.S. President Donald Trump, Premier Doug Ford suggested he would require a new mandate before spending “tens of billions of dollars” on economic stimulus packages for impacted industries and workers.

Premier Doug Ford is proposing a closer relationship with the U.S. when it comes to critical minerals while at the same time boasting that the province won’t “roll over” should president-elect Donald Trump follow through on his threatened tariffs upon taking office next week.