Ontario Premier Doug Ford has issued a stark warning to the United States, threatening to halt energy exports if President-elect Donald Trump moves forward with a sweeping 25% tariff on Canadian goods. The proposed tariffs are central to Trump’s pro-America trade policies, which aim to address illegal immigration and protect American industries.
Ford’s comments followed a meeting with leftist Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and provincial leaders. “We can’t sit back and roll over,” Ford said. “We will use every tool in our toolbox to fight back.” Ontario, a major energy supplier, provides nearly half of Michigan’s electricity and exports significant amounts to Minnesota and New York.
Freeland echoed Ford’s sentiment, suggesting that Canada could restrict exports of critical minerals essential to U.S. national security. While she did not explicitly mention oil, the threat underscores Canada’s leverage in the escalating trade dispute.
Trudeau criticized the tariffs, calling them “absolutely devastating” for the Canadian economy. However, his comments about the U.S. election, where he lamented Vice President Kamala Harris’s defeat, drew criticism from Ford. “Remarks like that are unhelpful. Donald Trump was elected democratically, and it’s not our place to interfere,” Ford said.
The proposed tariffs highlight Trump’s commitment to prioritizing American workers and industries, even at the cost of tension with longstanding allies. Nearly a third of Canada’s trade with the U.S. is tied to energy, making the potential retaliation particularly significant.
