Ontario Premier Doug Ford has threatened to sever electricity and critical mineral supplies to the United States as a trade dispute between the two neighbors deepens. Ford warned that if the conflict worsens, Ontario would cut off power and minerals vital to U.S. military aircraft, missiles, and electronics. The province currently supplies electricity to 1.5 million American homes and businesses across Michigan, Minnesota, and New York.
The escalation follows Washington's imposition of 50% tariffs on roughly $20 billion worth of Canadian goods. Canada announced matching counter-tariffs effective Sept. 8. President Donald Trump has further threatened to raise duties on Canadian automobiles, car parts, and steel to 50% starting in January.
Ford said Trump has underestimated Canadians' willingness to endure economic hardship rather than yield to pressure, adding that Ronald Reagan would be "throwing up" over current U.S. trade policy. Ontario had already levied a 25% surcharge on cross-border power exports in an earlier phase of the dispute.