Ontario Premier Doug Ford has drawn a firm line in the sand. If the United States pushes ahead with its new 25% tariffs on Canadian goods, Ford is ready to retaliate by cutting off electricity exports to the U.S. – and he says he’ll do it “with a smile on my face.”
For decades, the United States has relied on Ontario for a steady supply of electricity. States like New York, Michigan, and Minnesota depend heavily on Canadian energy to keep their grids stable.
If Ford follows through on his threat, millions of Americans could face higher energy prices—or even blackouts.
But it’s not just electricity that’s at stake. The new U.S. tariffs include a 10% levy on electricity imports from Canada, making energy costs more expensive for American consumers.
Canada, in response, has imposed tariffs on billions of dollars’ worth of U.S. imports, further escalating tensions.
Standing before a packed crowd at a mining convention in Toronto, Ford didn’t mince words:
- “If they want to try to annihilate Ontario, I will do everything—including cut off their energy with a smile on my face.”
- He warned that Ontario wouldn’t hesitate to make the U.S. “feel the pain” if the tariffs moved forward.
- Ford also hinted at stopping nickel shipments to the U.S., a critical resource used in electronics and car manufacturing.
His message was clear: Ontario would not be bullied into submission.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wasted no time condemning the tariffs, calling them an unfair attack on Canada’s economy. His government has responded aggressively, slapping a 25% tariff on $155 billion worth of American goods.
Foreign Minister Melanie Joly described the U.S. tariffs as an “existential threat,” warning that they could wipe out up to a million Canadian jobs. The Canadian government, she assured, would do everything necessary to protect its industries and workers.
While political leaders trade blows, businesses on both sides of the border are growing increasingly anxious. American car manufacturers, already struggling with supply chain disruptions, could see production slow even further without a steady supply of Canadian nickel.
Meanwhile, energy providers warn that increased electricity costs could be passed on to U.S. consumers, leading to higher utility bills.
Retailers, manufacturers, and exporters in both countries are urging leaders to reach a compromise before the situation spirals into a full-scale trade war.
With tensions escalating, experts fear a prolonged standoff between Canada and the U.S. If both sides refuse to back down, industries across North America could suffer.
Clark is a 26-year-old expert working for consumer protection, Clark has dedicated years to identifying and exposing fraudulent schemes. He is working with NGOs to help people who are victims of scams. In his free time, Todd plays football or goes to a bar.
