Tensions between the United States and Canada have intensified after Ontario Premier Doug Ford threatened to cut electricity exports to the U.S. in response to President Donald Trump’s latest tariffs targeting Canada’s auto industry.
Ford delivered a sharp warning Monday, saying Canada should be prepared to use every available economic measure if Washington continues putting pressure on Canadian manufacturers. He specifically raised the possibility of reducing or stopping electricity exports from Ontario to the United States.
“We power 1.5 million homes and businesses,” Ford said, emphasizing the potential impact of such a move. He also warned Trump that Americans should be prepared for the consequences, adding that the president “better have a pack of batteries.”
The threat comes as the trade dispute between the two neighboring countries enters another tense phase. Trump has continued to defend his tariff policies, arguing that the United States has carried Canada economically for decades.
The confrontation could have wider economic consequences because the U.S. and Canada maintain deeply integrated energy and manufacturing networks. Any disruption to electricity exports could affect households and businesses in parts of the United States, while further tariffs could put additional pressure on Canadian industries.
With both sides refusing to back down, the latest exchange highlights how quickly the trade dispute is spilling into broader economic and political tensions between the longtime allies.