A Canadian lawmaker recently issued a warning to the United States, threatening to escalate charges or completely cut off electricity exports in response to President Donald Trump’s 25% tariffs on Canadian imports announced recently. In a post on social media platform Twitter, Doug Ford, the premier of Ontario—Canada’s most populous province —- promised to retaliate with gusto. In a statement posted on X, Doug Ford, the premier of Ontario, said “I won’t hesitate to increase this surcharge or, if necessary, shut the electricity off completely.” Ford added, “Ontario and Canada are America’s largest customer and export destination. Unfortunately, we have been left with no choice but to respond with our own tariffs and charges that will make life more expensive for Americans at a time when the cost of living is at an all-time high.”
In 2023, Ontario reportedly supplied electricity to 1.5 million U.S. homes and served as a key exporter to states like New York, Michigan, and Minnesota. It remains unclear whether he was referring solely to Ontario’s energy exports or suggesting a broader Canadian cutoff.
Ford also reaffirmed his earlier pledge to mirror Trump’s 25% tariffs with equivalent taxes on goods entering the U.S. from Canada, Mexico, and China. “I [didn’t] start this tariff war, but we’re going to win this tariff war,” he asserted. While acknowledging that Canada’s federal government is spearheading the response, Ford stressed provincial solidarity, saying, “We’re going to stand shoulder to shoulder no matter who’s in the federal government.”
On March 6, President Trump announced that he would temporarily pause the 25% tariffs on US imports from Mexico and Canada that are covered under a 2020 trade agreement. The President signed two executive orders stating the exemptions would apply to US imports of products from both Mexico and Canada that are covered by the USMCA. Goods that are not covered by the agreement remain subject to tariffs.
New York governor on Canada threat
When asked about Ford’s threat, New York Governor Kathy Hochul downplayed the likelihood of action, citing their cordial relationship. Hochul told NewYork Post, “I’d be happy to have additional conversations with him on how we can support each other during this crisis,” Hochul said. “I feel positive that anything within his power that he can control – that we do not have a target on our backs.”
At the same time, Hochul blasted the Trump administration for tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports, warning that they could prove detrimental to New York farmers. The governor also warned that the tariffs could increase costs for consumers on agricultural products like dairy, fruits and vegetables.
Michigan Public Service Commission head on Canada threat
Commenting on Ford’s threat, Dan Scripps, the chair of the Michigan Public Service Commission, said that Michigan gets a lot of electricity from Canada but doesn’t actually use it. He added that the vast majority of the electricity Michiganders use is actually produced in Michigan.
