(TheIndependentStar.com) – Canada decided to trade blows with President Donald Trump over his tariff plan with a massive threat: no more electricity for people in New York, Michigan, and Minnesota.
Specifically, Ontario Premier Doug Ford revealed he would not hesitate to cut off power to American states if President Trump imposes tariffs on Canadian goods.
The premier’s bold ultimatum targets states like New York and Michigan that rely heavily on Canadian power.
The move could potentially leave millions of Americans in the dark under the guise of protecting Canadian jobs and sovereignty.
Ford made his intentions clear during a mining convention in Toronto, where he addressed President Trump’s proposed 25% tariffs on Canadian goods.
“If they want to try to annihilate Ontario, I will do everything — including cut off their energy with a smile on my face,” Ford declared.
The stakes in this energy showdown are huge. In 2023 alone, the United States imported approximately 33 terawatt-hours of electricity from Canada, generating over $5.8 billion in revenue for Canadian provinces.
New York, Michigan, and Minnesota are the largest U.S. customers of Ontario’s electricity.
Ford is not just talking tough; he is preparing for battle. His government has already directed the Liquor Control Board of Ontario to remove American alcohol products from shelves if the tariffs are implemented.
Additionally, he proposed canceling a deal with Elon Musk’s Starlink and implementing a surcharge on energy exports to hit back at America.
“They rely on our energy. They need to feel the pain. They want to come at us hard, we’re going to come back twice as hard,” Ford stated.
For his part, President Trump has remained firm in his commitment to protecting American jobs and addressing unfair trade practices.
“The tariffs, they’re all set,” President Trump confirmed, making clear that his administration is prepared to follow through on its promises to put America first.
The conflict highlights a crucial vulnerability in America’s energy independence that many citizens may not realize exists.
“I (didn’t) start this tariff war, but we’re going to win this tariff war,” Ford boasted.
While President Trump’s tariffs aim to protect American manufacturing and jobs, Ford’s retaliatory threats expose the complex interdependence between the two nations.
Ford has backed his tough talk with concrete action, including a $189-million election campaign focused on trade war readiness and a promise of $40 billion in new spending to support affected industries and workers.
His Progressive Conservative government recently won a third majority, demonstrating strong public support for his America-challenging stance.
As this high-stakes standoff unfolds, American consumers and businesses face the real possibility of power disruptions in border states that have grown dependent on Canadian electricity.
Canada’s Ontario Premier Doug Ford warns he’ll cut off electricity exports to the U.S. “with a smile on my face” if Trump’s 25% tariffs on Canadian goods proceed. “They need to feel the pain,” Ford said, pledging retaliation. Tariffs start tomorrow.
— Raw Reporting (@Raw_Reporting) March 3, 2025
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