Donald Trump has intensified his ongoing trade war with Canada, vowing to “just get it all back” with new reciprocal tariffs next month—prompting Ontario Premier Doug Ford to retaliate with a stark warning: he’s ready to shut off electricity completely to three U.S. states.
Ford has already followed through on a 25% tariff on Canadian electricity exports to Michigan, New York, and Minnesota. Now, he warns that if the U.S. escalates its tariff measures, Ontario will take even more drastic action.
Trump Fires Back: “Ontario’s Tariff Won’t Matter”
Trump dismissed Ford’s threats, arguing that his administration’s reciprocal tariffs will neutralize any economic impact from Ontario’s move.
“Despite the fact that Canada is charging the USA between 250% and 390% tariffs on many of our farm products, Ontario just announced a 25% surcharge on electricity—of all things! And you’re not even allowed to do that,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
However, he assured supporters that the U.S. will “just get it all back” on April 2, when his administration’s new tariff policy takes effect.
Ford: “It’s Not the American People’s Fault”
Ford, leading Canada’s most populous province, expressed regret that everyday Americans would suffer due to the tariff battle, but placed full responsibility on Trump.
“If the United States escalates, I will not hesitate to shut the electricity off completely. Believe me, I do not want to do this. I feel terrible for the American people—because it’s not them who started this trade war. There’s only one person responsible: President Trump.”
Over the weekend, Ford reaffirmed that Canada will not back down, despite Trump’s recent decision to delay tariffs on Mexico and Canada by one month. The president has since reversed course, now threatening a 250% tax on Canadian dairy and additional tariffs on lumber.
When asked by Fox Business if he would reconsider Ontario’s tariffs, Ford made his stance clear:
“Canadians love Americans. I love Americans. But no—we’re putting a 25% tariff on electricity from Ontario to Michigan, New York, and Minnesota. This is a mess, and he’s created chaos.”
Ford also warned that at least 1.5 million Americans will see their energy bills rise due to the tariffs.
Trump’s Reciprocal Tariff Plan Sparks Global Concern
Trump officially signed his “reciprocal tariff” order, arguing that the policy will level the playing field by imposing the same tariff rates on foreign imports that those countries apply to U.S. exports.
“Tariffs are good—tariffs are great, actually,” Trump declared while signing the order.
The sweeping new policy extends beyond tariffs, targeting “burdensome regulatory requirements,” currency manipulation, and foreign tax structures that Trump claims disadvantage the U.S.
A senior White House official explained:
“It’s patently obvious that these countries are cheating us. This order ensures that the United States is no longer taken advantage of—whether through tariffs, currency manipulation, or unfair trade practices.”
The reciprocal tariff policy will allow Trump to raise tariffs at his discretion, depending on what he deems an unfair trade imbalance. Experts warn this could spark further trade conflicts, potentially impacting global markets.
Trump Clashes With Trudeau Over Tariffs
Trump’s aggressive stance on tariffs has also reignited tensions with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who previously announced his resignation but remains in office during the transition.
According to Trump, Trudeau called him personally to discuss the tariffs, but the conversation quickly turned heated.
“Justin Trudeau called me to ask what could be done about tariffs. I told him that many Americans have died from fentanyl coming through the borders of Canada and Mexico, and I have yet to see proof that it has stopped,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Trump claimed Trudeau insisted the situation had improved, but he was unconvinced:
“That’s not good enough,” he responded.
Trump then suggested Trudeau was using the trade dispute to boost his political standing, implying that the Canadian leader was trying to “stay in power” by stoking tensions with the U.S.
“He couldn’t even tell me when the Canadian election is happening. That made me curious—what’s going on here? Then I realized he’s trying to use this issue to stay in power. Good luck, Justin!”
The Fallout: Rising Costs and Political Uncertainty
With tensions escalating, both U.S. and Canadian officials are bracing for potential economic repercussions. Trump acknowledged that prices in the U.S. “could go up” due to the tariffs but insisted that they were necessary to protect American industries.
Meanwhile, Ford and other Canadian leaders maintain that they will not back down unless Trump permanently removes the threat of tariffs.
“The only thing that’s certain today is more uncertainty,” Ford wrote on X. “Until President Trump removes the threat of tariffs for good, we will be relentless.”
With Trump’s April 2 tariff deadline approaching, all eyes are on whether the U.S. and Canada will find common ground—or if this trade war will escalate into an all-out economic showdown.
