Ontario Premier Doug Ford is taking a hardline stance against former U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs, vowing to hit back twice as hard with a set of aggressive retaliatory measures.
“If they want to try to annihilate Ontario, I will do everything, including cut off their energy with a smile on my face. 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,” Ford declared.
The new U.S. tariffs, which target Canadian and Mexican imports, threaten Ontario’s key industries, including automotive manufacturing and natural resources. In response, Ford announced a five-point plan aimed at hurting the U.S. economy in return.
Ontario’s Countermeasures Against U.S. Tariffs
1. Cutting Off Energy Exports
Ford threatened to shut off electricity exports to the U.S., specifically impacting Minnesota, Michigan, and New York, which rely on Ontario’s power grid. If the tariffs intensify, Ford suggested he could completely cut off power to over 1.5 million American homes.
2. Banning U.S. Companies from Ontario Government Contracts
All U.S.-based businesses are now banned from bidding on Ontario government procurement contracts, a move that could shut out American companies from lucrative infrastructure and supply deals.
3. Removing American Alcohol from Stores
Ontario’s Liquor Control Board (LCBO) will eliminate all American-made products from its shelves. This means Ontario consumers won’t find U.S. beer, wine, or spirits in government liquor stores.
4. Ending the $100M Starlink Deal
Ford canceled a nearly $100-million contract with Elon Musk’s Starlink, which was meant to provide rural Ontario with high-speed internet access.
5. Withholding Nickel Exports
Ontario may stop selling nickel to the U.S. and look for alternative buyers, cutting off a critical supply chain for American manufacturing.
A Trade War in the Making?
Ford has called on other Canadian provinces to follow suit, signaling that this trade war could escalate beyond Ontario. While Trump’s tariffs are expected to drive up the cost of vehicles and other goods in the U.S., Ford’s retaliatory moves could disrupt key American industries, increase energy prices, and cause supply chain shortages.
With both sides digging in, the question remains: who will blink first?
