Ontario premier wants Republicans to lose House and Senate over Trump's trade war

Ontario Premier Doug Ford said on Thursday that he hopes Republicans in the U.S. lose both the House and Senate in the upcoming midterm elections, suggesting that voters should punish President Donald Trump for his moves to escalate the ongoing trade war with Canada.

"Hopefully, he's going to lose the Senate.

He's going to lose Congress.

I hope so, and hold him accountable," Ford said.

"But we'll see how that goes.

We aren’t going to interfere in the U.S. election," he continued.

Ford has become one of Trump’s most outspoken critics in Canada, accusing the president of attempting to move Ontario’s businesses and jobs across the border to the U.S.

CANADIAN PM TELLS TRUMP TO 'STOP TRYING TO BE TOUGH' IN TRADE FIGHT "He’s not reliable at all," Ford said.

"He could make a deal today and then change his mind.

And we’ve seen that over and over again." Ford said he still believes Trump would like to reach a deal before the midterms and that Canada should return to the negotiation table as soon as possible.

"I truly believe President Trump wants a deal before the midterms," Ford said.

"I could be wrong, but I think it’s best that we sit down and get a deal." Ford’s comments come just days after the U.S. escalated the trade dispute by banning some Canadian dairy products and motorcycles as well most alcoholic beverages after Canada's retaliatory tariffs took effect on about $20 billion in U.S. goods.

Trump also took efforts to remove Canadian products from large, long-term U.S. government contracts.

Last year, Trump abruptly ended trade talks with Canada after the Ontario government broadcast an anti-tariff TV ad in the U.S., using quotes from former Republican President Ronald Reagan's criticism of tariffs.