Ontario Premier Doug Ford Threatens to Cut Off US Electricity Exports Amid Tariff War

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Ontario Premier Doug Ford has doubled down on his threat to cut off electricity exports to US border states if the tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump go through. Speaking at a mining convention in downtown Toronto, Ford stated that he would do everything in his power to retaliate against the US, including cutting off their energy supply with a smile on his face. The US is a major customer for Canadian electricity, with all American power grids, except for Texas, interconnected with Canadian provinces. New York, Michigan, and Minnesota are Ontario's three biggest customers of domestically-produced power, with the US importing around 33 TWh (terawatt hours) from Canadian generating stations in 2023.

The revenue from Canadian electricity sales to the US topped $5.8 billion in 2023, an all-time high, with Quebec and Ontario leading other provinces. Ford backed up his assertions to match the US tariff for tariff, and dollar for dollar, stating that the provinces have a big say in the matter, but it's the federal government that's leading the charge. He expressed confidence that retaliation will make a difference, saying that he didn't start the tariff war, but Canada is going to win it. The tariff war between the US and Canada has been escalating, with Trump announcing that the 25 percent tariffs on Canada and Mexico will officially go into effect.

Trump had warned last week that the tariffs will go forward after he delayed them for a month following conversations with the Canadian and Mexican leaders. The US president encouraged car manufacturers to build plants in the US to avoid the upcoming tariffs, stating that they have to build their car plants and other things in the US, in which case they have no tariffs. The president also announced reciprocal tariffs will start April 2, which will cover imports from all nations that levy import taxes on US goods. Ford's threat to cut off electricity exports is a significant move, as the US relies heavily on Canadian energy, and such a move could have a substantial impact on the US economy.

Here are some key points to consider: * The US imported around 33 TWh of electricity from Canada in 2023 * The revenue from Canadian electricity sales to the US topped $5.8 billion in 2023 * Ontario's three biggest customers of domestically-produced power are New York, Michigan, and Minnesota * The US president has announced reciprocal tariffs will start April 2, covering imports from all nations that levy import taxes on US goods * Ford has stated that he will match the US tariff for tariff, and dollar for dollar, in retaliation. The situation is being closely monitored, with many experts warning of the potential consequences of a trade war between the two nations.

The developments come as Trump announced Monday that the 25 percent tariffs on Canada and Mexico will officially go into effect Tuesday, saying there is no more room for dealmaking before the 30-day delay expires. The tariffs, they're all set, they go into effect tomorrow, Trump said, adding there's no room left for Mexico or Canada to make a deal before midnight. The move has sparked concerns about the potential impact on the global economy, with many experts warning of the dangers of a trade war between the US and its neighbors.