Canadian Premier Threatens Energy Cutoff to US Amid Trump Tariffs: 'They Need to Feel the Pain'

Ontario Premier Doug Ford has issued a bold warning to the U.S. in response to President Donald Trump's tariffs: cut off energy exports. Speaking at a mining convention on Monday, Ford declared that he was prepared to take drastic measures, saying, "If they want to try to annihilate Ontario, I will do everything – including cut off their energy with a smile on my face." Talk about energy diplomacy with a sharp edge.

Ford doubled down on his remarks, emphasizing that the U.S. depends heavily on Canadian electricity. "They rely on our energy, they need to feel the pain. They want to come at us hard, we’re going to come back twice as hard," he said, according to the Toronto Sun. Ford’s comments spotlight the high stakes of the U.S.-Canada trade relationship, especially considering that New York, Michigan, and Minnesota are Ontario’s largest electricity customers.

In 2022 alone, Canada's electricity exports to the U.S. brought in a record $5.8 billion, according to the Canada Energy Regulator. That’s a lot of power—both literally and figuratively. With such a lucrative trade in play, the potential fallout from Ford's threats could be monumental for both countries.

Ford also announced plans to impose retaliatory tariffs mirroring those implemented by the U.S. "That’s exactly what we’re going to do," he said, signaling a united front with the federal government. "The provinces have a big say in it, but it’s the federal government that’s leading the charge, and we’re going to stand shoulder-to-shoulder no matter who’s in the federal government," Ford added.

Meanwhile, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau joined the chorus of defiance, warning that a trade war would harm families on both sides of the border. "A fight with Canada will have no winners," Trudeau told reporters in Ottawa. He added that while Canada "will never be the 51st state," Trump's tariffs could inflict significant economic damage on both nations.

As the tension escalates, Canada has already unveiled its own retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods. Trudeau and other provincial leaders have hinted at additional measures, signaling that this trade dispute is far from over.

With both sides digging in their heels, the standoff between Canada and the U.S. is shaping up to be a high-stakes battle with no clear end in sight. And let’s be real—when a premier starts talking about cutting off energy "with a smile," you know things have gotten serious.