Ontario Premier Doug Ford has issued a stark warning to the United States (US), threatening to cut electricity exports in retaliation for new tariffs imposed by the Trump administration. Speaking at a mining convention in Toronto on Monday, Ford accused the US of unfair economic aggression against Canada and vowed to strike back if necessary.
“If they want to annihilate Ontario, I will fight back, including cutting off their energy with a smile on my face,” Ford declared, signaling that his province, which supplies electricity to key US states, is prepared to take drastic measures. “They need to feel the pain. They want to come at us hard, we’re going to come back twice as hard.”
Ontario is a critical energy supplier to the US, with states like Michigan, Minnesota, and New York relying on Canadian electricity to support their grids. Ford emphasized that both provincial and federal governments in Canada are aligned in their opposition to the new tariffs and will respond with forceful countermeasures.
“The provinces have a big say in it, but it’s the federal government that’s leading the charge. We’re going to stand shoulder to shoulder,” Ford stated, underscoring Canada’s united front against Washington’s trade policies.
The conflict stems from President Donald Trump’s announcement that a 25 percent tariff on Canadian and Mexican imports will take effect starting Tuesday. Trump reaffirmed his administration’s hardline stance, rejecting any possibility of delaying the tariffs to allow for negotiations. “The tariffs are all set. They go into effect tomorrow,” Trump confirmed, doubling down on his push for trade reciprocity.
The new policy, set to take effect on April 2, will enforce reciprocal tariffs, meaning that nations imposing levies on American goods will face identical charges when exporting to the US. This move has drawn sharp criticism from Canada, which views it as a direct attack on its economy.
The prospect of Ontario cutting off power to US states has raised alarm among American business leaders and policymakers, who warn that such an action could disrupt industries and increase electricity costs for millions of people. Energy analysts predict that a sudden halt in Canadian electricity exports could force US states to scramble for alternative power sources, potentially leading to supply shortages and price hikes.
Economic tensions between Canada and the US have escalated in recent months, with both sides engaging in tit-for-tat trade measures. While Ford’s threat may be intended as leverage in trade negotiations, experts caution that any disruption in energy supply could deepen the rift between the two nations and lead to long-term economic consequences.
As the trade standoff intensifies, all eyes are on the Canadian government’s next move. Will Ford’s warning materialize into concrete action, or will negotiations prevent a full-blown energy crisis? The coming weeks will determine whether the US and Canada can find common ground or if relations between the two allies will continue to deteriorate.
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