Ontario premier says US energy exports will be cut off if Trump imposes sweeping tariffs on Canada

Doug Ford (left) vs. Donald Trump.
Photo: ‘The Daily Mail’

The premier of Canada’s most populous province – Ontario Premier Doug Ford – said he will cut off energy to the United States if President-elect Donald Trump imposes sweeping tariffs on all Canadian products, AP informs.

Trump has threatened to impose a 25% tax on all products entering the U.S. from Canada and Mexico unless they stem the flow of migrants and drugs.

“We’re going to put our list together, and I’m sure the other provinces will as well. But we will go to the full extent, depending on how far this goes. We will go to the extent of cutting off their energy,” Ontario Premier Doug Ford said after meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and other provincial premiers.

Ford said he didn’t want this to happen but wasn’t optimistic Canada could avoid tariffs.

“This fight is 100% coming on Jan. 20 or Jan. 21,” he said, referencing to the date of Trump’s inauguration.

“We will use every tool in our tool box to fight back. We can’t sit back and roll over. We just won’t as a country. And isn’t this a shame, our closest friends and allies.”

About 60% of U.S. crude oil imports are from Canada, and 85% of U.S. electricity imports as well.

Trump’s transition team did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the threat.

Canada is also the largest foreign supplier of steel, aluminum and uranium to the U.S. and has 34 critical minerals and metals that the Pentagon is eager for and investing for national security.

Nearly $3.6 billion Canadian (US $2.7 billion) worth of goods and services cross the border each day. Canada is the top export destination for 36 U.S. states.

Trudeau said tariffs would be “absolutely devastating” for the Canadian economy, but it would also mean real hardship for Americans.

Economists say companies would have little choice but to pass along the added costs, dramatically raising prices for food, clothing, automobiles, alcohol and other goods.

The Produce Distributors Association, a Washington-based trade group, has said tariffs will raise prices for fresh fruit and vegetables and hurt U.S. farmers when the countries retaliate.

Canada imposed duties in 2018 against the U.S. in a tit-for-tat response to new taxes on Canadian steel and aluminum.

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