Ontario Premier Doug Ford has issued a stark warning amid rising trade tensions with the United States, threatening to impose a 25% surcharge on electricity exports to three U.S. states and potentially cut off power altogether if President Donald Trump escalates tariffs on Canadian goods.
“If the United States escalates, I will not hesitate to shut the electricity off completely,” Ford said Monday at a press conference. “Believe me when I say I do not want to do this. I feel terrible for the American people, because it’s not the American people who started this trade war. It’s one person who’s responsible. That’s President Trump.”
The surcharge, set to take effect Monday, will impact electricity exports to New York, Minnesota, and Michigan, raising costs for families and businesses. Ford estimated that the added charge would increase household energy bills by approximately $100 per month.
Canada, which relies heavily on U.S. exports, faces economic risks if the trade war escalates. While Trump delayed some tariffs on Canada and Mexico, uncertainty remains over future levies. The U.S. president has threatened to impose tariffs on Canadian dairy and lumber, pledging to match duties imposed on American goods. Additionally, Trump has warned that tariffs could exceed 25% if Canada and Mexico fail to curb fentanyl trafficking into the U.S.
Along with the surcharge, Ford said he would consider increasing penalties further if trade restrictions worsen. “No one wins in a trade war,” Ford acknowledged, but he insisted that Ontario would not hesitate to retaliate against U.S. tariffs.
Ford, a member of a prominent Ontario political family, has been vocal in his opposition to Trump’s trade policies, making frequent appearances on U.S. cable news to defend Canada’s position. Last week, he claimed he would “shut off power to the U.S. with a smile on [his] face” if Trump continued to target Canadian exports.
The ongoing trade dispute underscores broader tensions between the two nations, with potential economic repercussions for both sides as tariff threats and retaliatory measures continue to escalate.
