Ontario Premier Doug Ford weighed in on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s decision to resign as federal Liberal leader on Monday, issuing a statement that did not mention Trudeau by name nor reference his intention to step down.

Instead, Ford focused on the threat by U.S. president-elect Donald Trump to impose 25 per cent tariffs on all Canadian goods heading south of the border and the need for political stability in Ottawa.

“In two weeks, the president-elect will be sworn in as America’s next president and will have every opportunity to make his threats real,” Ford said.

“Between now and then, the federal government needs to do everything humanly possible to avoid these tariffs, including by doing more to secure our border and offering a credible plan to invest more in Canada’s military to meet and exceed our NATO spending commitments.”

At a news conference Monday morning, Trudeau said he would resign his office once a successor has been chosen by the party. Trudeau also said he asked Gov. Gen. Mary Simon to prorogue Parliament until March 24, and she granted the request.

“This country deserves a real choice in the next election, and it’s become clear to me that if I’m having to fight internal battles, I cannot be the best option in that election,” he told reporters.

Trudeau had been under mounting pressure to step down amid sinking public opinion polls and calls for him to resign from factions within his own Liberal caucus.

It’s not clear if or when voters may head to the polls in a federal election ahead of the fixed date in October. But both the Conservatives and NDP have said they will vote to bring down the government when the opportunity arises.

In his statement, Ford said the “interests of Canadian workers and families need to come before political or party ambitions.

“Canada needs to demonstrate stability and strength at this critical moment, and the federal government must urgently explain to Canadians how they will avoid tariffs that could have devastating effects on our economy,” he said.

Ford and Trudeau have worked closely on several major files in recent years, such as securing multi-billion-dollar deals for battery plants and electric vehicle manufacturing in Ontario, even as the prime minister’s relationship with some other conservative premiers grew increasingly strained.

Trudeau’s announcement and the subsequent uncertainty around a possible early federal election could have consequences for the provincial political landscape in Ontario.

Throughout the latter half of 2024, Ford sent repeated signals that he may send Ontario voters to the polls this spring, more than a year ahead of the next fixed election date in June 2026. It’s not clear how turmoil in Ottawa might impact Ford’s thinking around sending Ontarians to the polls early in an attempt to secure a third mandate.