‘They need to feel the pain': Canadian lawmaker threatens to switch off energy to US over tariffs war
The leader of Ontario threatened to cut off Canada 's energy supply from the United States, remove all U.S. alcohol from store shelves and cancel any partnership with Starlink in retaliation for President Donald Trump imposing sweeping 25 percent tariffs on the U.S.'s northern neighbor.
Premier Doug Ford said Monday that he plans to fight back against Trump's tariffs in whatever way he can to show the president it is a bad decision to add the tax to the U.S.'s closest neighbor and ally.
'If they want to try to annihilate Ontario, I will do everything – including cut off their energy, with a smile on my face,' Ford said.
Canada is the largest source of energy imports for the U.S., with crude oil and other petroleum products topping the list of imports. But hydropower, natural gas and electricity are also among the imports.
Imposing the 25 percent tariffs will likely 'spike' domestic energy prices, 'especially in states in the U.S. Midwest,' according to the Atlantic Council. Trump has toyed with the idea of imposing 10 percent tariffs on energy specifically.
The tariffs will also likely hurt the Canadian economy more than already being felt, which is why many Canadian leaders are furious at the president for imposing them.
'They rely on our energy; they need to feel the pain,' Ford said while encouraging all other provinces, such as Quebec, Manitoba and British Columbia, to do the same.
Ford said he also plans to remove 'every bit' of U.S. alcohol from Ontario shelves and threatened to pull Ontario's Starlink contract too.
'He's underestimating the Canadian people, the resilience of the Canadian people, and the strength of the Canadian people,' Ford said.
Premier of Quebec François Legault said in February that he agreed with Ford about implementing retaliatory energy measures on the U.S. if Trump were to impose tariffs. He reiterated that point on Monday, saying he would respond in retaliation with Hydro-Quebec, the largest supplier of hydropower in Canada, which also exports power to the northeast U.S.
Legault said there would be 'more details' on Tuesday about retaliatory efforts.
Outgoing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also announced 25 percent retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods.
'I can't, for the life of me, figure out why this guy's attacking his closest neighbors, allies and friend. A tariff on Canada is a tax on Americans,' Ford said of the president.
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