Ford hits Beantown

A "lovefest" sure, but will it matter?

ABOVE THE FOLD

DOUG DOES DIPLOMACY — The Premier rolled into Boston Monday pitching “Fortress Am-Can” hard — clean power, critical minerals, tourism and Ontario-built auto parts ready to save the U.S. economy from itself. Here are highlights and lowlights:

Ford, flanked by the Eastern Premiers, met with U.S. governors and officials at the Massachusetts State House, underscoring the trade relationship between the two countries. “I always say, Canada isn’t the problem, neither is the U.S.,” he said. “China is the single problem.”

The governors didn’t exactly disagree. Ford even called it a “lovefest.” He said his U.S. counterparts are concerned over a dip in tourism and agreed that the President’s comments about making Canada the 51st state were insulting.

But will it make a difference with DONALD TRUMP?

Reality check: Only one of the governors on the agenda was Republican, so it remains to be seen whether Monday’s meetings will get through to the President.

Bottom line: Ford’s mission to…