President Donald Trump announced on Monday that planned tariffs on Mexico and Canada would take effect the following day. In response, Ontario Premier Doug Ford made it clear that Canada was ready to retaliate, with energy supplies being a key tool in this dispute. ‘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 during a press conference.
Ford emphasized the interdependence between the U.S. and Canadian power grids, noting that all American states except Texas are interconnected with Canadian provinces. Michigan, New York, and Minnesota were identified as the largest consumers of Canadian electricity. Interestingly, Michigan was a crucial swing state in the 2020 presidential election, having swung for Trump.
The article highlighted that Canada’s electricity exports to the U.S. reached an all-time high in 2022, with revenue exceeding $5.8 billion. Quebec and Ontario were the leading provinces in this sector. Ford stressed provincial involvement while acknowledging federal leadership in the tariff conflict. ‘I didn’t start this tariff war, but we’re going to win it,’ he asserted.
In a related development last month, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced retaliatory measures, including a 25% tariff on U.S. goods entering Canada. Trudeau also targeted specific red states with what he called ‘precision strikes.’ Products such as Kentucky whisky and Florida oranges were expected to face harsher penalties compared to those from blue states.
The ongoing trade dispute underscores the complex economic ties between the two nations, with energy emerging as a critical leverage point for Canada in responding to U.S. tariffs.