Ontario Premier Doug Ford has issued a stark warning to the U.S. in response to new tariffs imposed by former President Donald Trump—threatening to cut off electricity to 1.5 million American homes and businesses. The bold statement comes after Trump approved steep new trade penalties targeting Canada, Mexico, and China.
Trump’s tariffs, announced shortly after his return to the White House, include a 25% tax on Canadian and Mexican goods and a 10% levy on Chinese imports. The White House framed these measures as necessary to pressure foreign governments into stopping the flow of illegal drugs, particularly fentanyl, into the U.S.
But Ford isn’t backing down. Fresh off a third majority win, the Ontario leader declared that if the U.S. tries to “annihilate” his province’s economy, he won’t hesitate to pull the plug on power exports. “We keep the lights on in 1.5 million homes and factories in New York, Michigan, and Minnesota,” Ford said in an interview. “If they want to hurt our families, I’ll shut off their electricity—with a smile.”
The threat highlights the deep economic ties between Ontario and neighboring U.S. states. Ford doubled down on his stance at a Toronto mining conference, vowing to fight back with “twice the force” if pressured. Meanwhile, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau condemned the tariffs as unjustified, signaling a potential escalation in cross-border tensions.
