Automotive sector is at serious risk - Trump wants $71 billion to protect us - he still thinks Canada will become the 51st state

By Pepper Parr

June 17^th, 2025

BURLINGTON, ON

On that tariff stuff – word is that they are still talking.

Or at least they were right up until President Trump announced that he had to leave right after dinner on Monday – he was needed back in Washington, where control over the war between Israel and Iran was getting out of hand.

Everyone is mouthing the words used to say basically nothing.

“both countries have agreed to keep the details of those talks private and to reconvene before the end of the week.”

“we’re making progress in coming to a deal that would be in the economic interest of both countries, but we’re not there yet,”

“agreed to pursue negotiations toward a deal within the coming 30 days.”

President Trump with an illustration of the Golden Dome that is expected to protect North America from nuclear weapons.

As he was leaving Kananaskis in Alberta, Trump said that Canada was going to pay for the Golden Dome – that is the stuff that is going to protect us from the nuclear warheads that might be coming our way from China, Russia or maybe the Iranians.

The price for the Golden Dome protection was $60 billion at first but that got ratcheted up to $71 billion.  One had to notice that Trump did not say Canada had “agreed to pay” just that it was going to pay.  He added that Canada wouldn’t have to pay a dime if it became the 51^st state.

Trump does have a habit of rambling.   Some suggest not bothering to listen to him.

On the tariff stuff, an American automotive research company said Ontario production of automobiles would be reduced by 56,000 this year.

Most of the 1.3 million cars manufactured in Ontario in 2024 went to the United States.

Ford Motor plant in Oakville.

Auto Forecast Solutions said there are questions about the future of assembly plants in Oshawa, Oakville and Ingersoll in addition to expected production cuts in Alliston.

Early in May, President Trump levied 25% tariffs on automobiles made in Canada and sold in the United States.

With those tariffs in place, the Canadian economy is in serious peril.  There have already been layoffs in the automotive sector.

Prime Minister Mark Carney and his government have been working very hard to have those tariffs removed.