Ontario Premier Doug Ford called for strong economic retaliation against the United States after automaker Stellantis announced it would shift production of its Jeep Compass SUV from Brampton, Ontario, to Illinois. The decision is part of the company’s $13 billion planned investment to expand manufacturing in the US amid ongoing North American trade tensions.
Ford blamed US President Donald Trump’s tariff policies for the move, saying Canada must “fight back” if Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government fails to reach a trade agreement with Washington. That guy, President Trump, he’s a real piece of work,” Ford told reporters. “I’m tired of rolling over. We need to defend our jobs,” he added.
Carney, who has struggled to secure tariff reductions during negotiations in Washington, described Stellantis’s decision as a direct consequence of US trade barriers. He affirmed that Ottawa will explore new opportunities for Brampton workers and expects the company to fulfill its commitments to them.
Industry Minister Mélanie Joly condemned the relocation as “unacceptable,” reminding Stellantis that it received significant financial support in return for maintaining production in Canada. She warned the company could face legal action if it fails to uphold those agreements.
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