THE PRESS IS ECONOMIC INFRASTRUCTURE, SCAFFOLDING FOR DEMOCRACY. WITHOUT IT, POWER GOES UNCHECKED.

For more than a year, Ontario Premier Doug Ford has positioned himself as “Captain Canada,” promising to protect Ontario's economy and strengthen Canada's hand in its trade dispute with the United States.

But with tariffs still in place and the Canada-US-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) facing an uncertain future, experts say there is little evidence Ford's high-profile approach has delivered tangible results.

Instead, they argue it has created headaches for Ottawa, as several of his interventions have backfired in Washington. Ford abandoned his proposed electricity export surcharge after threats of retaliation from Washington. And his taxpayer-funded, multimillion-dollar anti-tariff ad campaign showcasing an old speech by former president Ronald Reagan supporting free trade, drew criticism from the Reagan Foundation and angered US President Donald Trump. The ads were later suspended after Trump halted trade talks.

“There is a tendency for Ford to freelance or push the envelope in a manner that is not always consistent with the negotiating strategies of the Canadian government,” said Peter Graefe, a professor of political science at McMaster University.

Ford has argued his approach helps raise awareness of Canada's concerns among American lawmakers, governors, and business groups that could influence Trump and discourage tariffs.

But his latest sojourn to Washington also raised questions after a planned US Chamber of Commerce event was cancelled, and the trip garnered no meetings with senior Trump administration officials.

Upon his return earlier this week, Ford largely brushed off questions about the lack of results and White House concerns about the chamber event.

“I just love the American people. I love the US,” Ford said at a press conference on Wednesday, adding that he received a warm reception throughout his visit.

However, Ontario Trade Minister Victor Fedeli, who was part of the delegation, rushed to Ford's defence, saying it would be a “badge of honour” for the premier if reports were true that the chamber event was cancelled because of pressure from Trump.

“The fact that he stood up and spoke truth to power is standing up for Canada and standing up for Ontario. That's what this is all about,” Fedeli said.

For critics, those incidents illustrate the risks of provincial leaders inserting themselves directly into international trade disputes.

Trade experts interviewed by Canada’s National Observer believe trade negotiations are ultimately a national responsibility that should be led by Ottawa.

They warn provincial campaigns risk sending mixed signals to Washington and complicating negotiations as CUSMA comes up for review.

“In that sense, Ford is also a bit of a liability,” Graefe said.

Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles said Ford's latest Washington trip shows the premier is more focused on political branding than results.

She accused Ford of using taxpayer money for a “glorified photo-op,” arguing the trip produced little benefit for Ontarians, despite the premier's claims that he was strengthening Canada's position ahead of CUSMA talks.

“He claimed that they rolled out the red carpet for him, but had nothing to show for it,” Stiles said in a statement following Ford's trip.

She also took aim at Ford's self-styled “Captain Canada” role.

“Ford is so busy pretending to be prime minister that he seems to have forgotten who he actually works for — the people of Ontario,” Stiles said.

Ontario Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner also questioned Ford's approach, arguing it has not been matched by a clear economic plan for Ontario.

“Doug Ford has been jet-setting stateside and running headline-grabbing ads, but he has still yet to come to the table with a serious plan that protects Ontario's workers and businesses while diversifying our economy,” Schreiner told Canada's National Observer.

Prime Minister Mark Carney has repeatedly emphasized the importance of a united “Team Canada” approach, and yesterday told premiers that Canada's strength lies in presenting a common front.

Schreiner hammered that point home.

“Greens have repeatedly called for a Team Canada approach to trade relations, which means the premier needs to work closely with the prime minister and other premiers to ensure we have a united front to defend Canadian jobs, workers and companies,” Schreiner said.

Some of Ford's initiatives have undermined that goal, he added.

“Many of the premier’s policies actually lock us further into American dependence, whether it’s by doubling down on high-cost US nuclear SMRs or by paving over our farmland and risking our food sovereignty,” Schreiner said.

“We need the government to invest in made-in-Ontario solutions that create good-paying, generational jobs—ones that will support families and communities for generations to come.”

This week, Trump again cast doubt on the future of the agreement, saying he was “not looking to renew” it and arguing the United States does not need Canadian products ranging from cars to energy and lumber. At the same time, Carney's government continues direct negotiations with Washington.

Do relationships with governors matter?

Graefe said Ford's role presents a mixed picture.

“There are ways in which I suspect Ford is useful in advancing what are generally considered Canada's interests in the renegotiation of continental trade relations,” Graefe said.

He said Ford has been able to build valuable relationships with Republican audiences, governors, and business leaders in ways many Canadian politicians cannot.

Graefe said the Ontario government appears to be trying to limit some of those risks by focusing on the forward-looking message of its Fortress North America plan, rather than directly criticizing the American president.

Graefe argued Ford's government has spent considerable time talking about protecting workers from tariffs but has offered relatively few specific policies.

He also questioned whether Ford's Fortress North America proposal offers enough for workers outside manufacturing, as roughly 80 per cent of Ontario workers are employed in the service sector.