Ontario Premier Doug Ford is sending a message to Washington: If the U.S. wants to hit Canada with tariffs, Canada can hit back where it hurts.
In response to Donald Trump’s newly announced 25% tariffs on Canadian goods, Ford warned Monday that he is willing to cut off energy exports to the U.S. “with a smile” if the economic pressure continues.
Trump’s tariffs, which also target Mexico and China, include a 10% duty on Canadian energy products. However, Canada is the largest supplier of crude oil to the U.S., providing 59% of all American crude oil imports in 2019, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
Ford made it clear that if necessary, Canada is ready to use its energy resources as leverage in this trade battle. Speaking at a mining convention on Monday, Ford said:“I don’t start a tariff war, but we’re going to win this tariff war.”
“If they want to try to annihilate Ontario, I will do everything—including cut off their energy with a smile on my face, and I’m encouraging every other province to do the same.”He then delivered his strongest warning yet: “They rely on our energy. They need to feel the pain.”
