Canadian province leader threatens to cut off energy to 3 US states, imposes 25% surcharge
President Donald Trump announced Monday the delay on tariffs against Mexico and Canada was over, and thus a 25% tax on most imports from the trade partners went into effect after midnight.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford, leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario, said at a press conference Tuesday he would apply a 25% surcharge on energy exports to New York, Michigan and Minnesota and would consider restricting the electricity exports down the line if the tariffs persist. He repeatedly placed the blame solely at Trump's feet.
"A tariff on Canada is a tax on Americans," Ford said at the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada convention Monday. "I will do everything, including cut off their energy with a smile on my face. And I encourage every other province to do the same."
Ontario is Canada's second-largest energy producer, with most of its power coming from uranium. The province has interconnections with the provinces Manitoba and Quebec as well as three U.S. states: Michigan, Minnesota, and New York. Most of its imports come from Quebec and most of its exports go to New York and Michigan, according to the Canada Energy Regulator website.
The tax would not begin immediately on Tuesday, a Ford representative told Bloomberg.
What are tariffs? Here's why they could make beer, books and coffee more expensive
Canada and the U.S. have enjoyed a mostly tariff-free relationship for decades. While most imports from Canada are now taxed at 25%, energy is taxed at 10%.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Tuesday Canada would respond with 25% tariffs on $20.7 billion worth of U.S. imports, effective immediately. That will escalate to another $86.2 billion worth of imports if Trump's tariffs are still in effect in three weeks.
Ford said he supported Trudeau's tariffs Tuesday. He also announced he was removing American alcohol products from distribution and had canceled Ontario's contract with Elon Musk's satellite internet service Starlink.
"There's going to be unemployment, inflation is going to hit and it's going to hurt the American people," Ford said Tuesday. "You need to speak up against Donald Trump and speak up for your people. That's what we do here in Canada."
Contributing: Kim Hjelmgaard
Kinsey Crowley is a trending news reporter at USA TODAY. Reach her at kcrowley@gannett.com, and follow her on X and TikTok @kinseycrowley.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ontario Premier Doug Ford threatens to cut energy to 3 US states
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