The escalating trade dispute between the United States and Canada has reached a critical juncture, with Ontario threatening to weaponize one of its most significant exports: electricity. Ontario Premier Doug Ford warned that if President Donald Trump continues his economic offensive against Canada, the province may raise prices on power exported to the U.S. or halt supplies entirely.
Ford emphasized the scale of Ontario's energy relationship with its southern neighbor, noting that the province supplies electricity to approximately 1.5 million American homes and businesses. "Everything is on the table," he declared. Ontario's power flows primarily to New York, Michigan, and Minnesota.
In a pointed message directed at Trump, Ford suggested the president should stock up on batteries if he intends to continue targeting Canada's automotive industry. Beyond electricity, he indicated that exports of critical minerals to the United States could also become leverage in the dispute.
The threat comes amid sharply deteriorating relations between the two nations. Trump has threatened to impose new 50% tariffs on vehicles, auto parts, and steel from Canada, and has demanded that Canadian leadership "fall in line" or face consequences that would be "much worse." Canada is expected to announce retaliatory tariffs on American products in response.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney accused Washington of deliberately attempting to damage Canadian industry. "We learned during negotiations that the Americans want to destroy our major industries, including automotive, steel, and aluminum," he said. Carney emphasized that Canada will not accept an approach that treats it as "a subsidiary of the United States."
