Ontario Premier Doug Ford has threatened to halt energy exports to the United States if President-elect Donald Trump implements a sweeping 25% tariff on Canadian goods. Trump’s pro-America trade policies aim to bolster U.S. industries while addressing issues such as illegal immigration.
Following a meeting with leftist Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Ford pledged to take strong action. “We will go to the full extent depending on how far this goes,” he said. Ontario plays a pivotal role in U.S. energy imports, supplying electricity to Michigan, Minnesota, and New York.
Freeland, Canada’s Deputy Prime Minister, signaled additional retaliation could include restricting exports of critical minerals essential to U.S. national security. However, she stopped short of confirming whether Canada would cut oil exports, a significant portion of its trade with the United States.
Trudeau’s criticism of Trump’s policies has added fuel to the fire. While condemning the tariffs as harmful to both economies, his remarks about the U.S. election, where he lamented Vice President Kamala Harris’s defeat, drew criticism. Ford called the comments “not helpful,” urging a focus on trade issues rather than political commentary.
The potential energy retaliation underscores the stakes of this escalating trade dispute. Trump’s pro-America trade policies represent a shift toward prioritizing American industries, even at the expense of tension with traditional allies like Canada.
