Ontario Premier Threatens to Cut Off US Electricity: Trade War Heats Up!

2025-03-04 22:36:21.932

Ontario Premier Doug Ford has threatened to retaliate against new US tariffs by cutting off electricity exports to the United States. Ford vowed to cut off energy to the US “with a smile on my face,” in response to President Trump's 25% tariffs on Canadian imports. Ontario alone supplied power to 1.5 million US homes in 2023, making it a major exporter to New York, Michigan, and Minnesota. While it remains unclear if this threat encompasses all Canadian provinces or just Ontario, Ford has pledged to match Trump's tariffs dollar for dollar. New York Governor Kathy Hochul expressed optimism that Ford would not follow through, citing their amicable relationship. In response to the tariffs, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced retaliatory tariffs on US$20.7 billion worth of US goods, with the potential for further escalation. Trudeau accused Trump of initiating a trade war and vowed that Canada would not back down. Ford's actions are seen in the context of his late brother, Rob Ford's, controversial past.