In a dramatic escalation of trade tensions, Ontario Premier Doug Ford is refusing to back down on his 25% tariff on electricity exports to the U.S., specifically targeting New York, Michigan and Minnesota.
Set to take effect Monday, the move is a direct response to President Donald Trump’s recent tariff threats on Canadian imports, further deepening the economic standoff between the two countries.
Despite Trump granting temporary tariff exemptions to USMCA-compliant goods from Canada as negotiations continue, Ford—a center-right populist—appeared on Fox Business, where he vowed to plow ahead with his plan to cut off energy exports to the U.S.
The only thing that’s certain today is more uncertainty. A pause on some tariffs means nothing. Until President Trump removes the threat of tariffs for good, we will be relentless. pic.twitter.com/FuHGPWoHmh
— Doug Ford (@fordnation) March 6, 2025
Ford stressed that Ontario’s electricity powers approximately 1.5 million homes and manufacturing facilities across the targeted U.S. states. While he claimed to regret the measure, he made it clear that this move is a direct response to the threat of U.S. tariffs, highlighting Ontario’s critical role in the interconnected North American energy market.
POLITICO provides further details on the Canadian leader’s rigid response:
Ford lamented the decision in a CNN interview earlier Thursday but said he felt he had little choice.
“And honestly, it really bothers me we have to do this,” Ford said in that interview. “I don’t want to do this. I want to send more electricity, more critical minerals, more oil. That’s what we want to do.”
Though Canada’s total exports of hydropower to the U.S. make up only a sliver of U.S. electricity generation, experts say the shared grid between the two countries is critical to maintaining system reliability. The premier of Quebec previously told POLITICO the province would similarly consider stamping tariffs on their power exports to New England.
Border states have raised concerns about the impact of such tariffs on both customer costs and grid stability.
Energy officials are raising alarms heading into the weekend. The New York Independent System Operator and Michigan’s utility regulator have warned about negative impacts on grid reliability and energy markets.
Meanwhile, the Minnesota Commerce Department has gone even further, cautioning that the tariffs could create a “manmade crisis”—driving up energy bills for consumers.
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You tell those Canadians to go ahead with the tariffs. We don’t need to buy anything from you, and certainly not for power or alcohol!
Reciprocal tariffs – don’t forget that. If the U.S. stops buying from you, you are going to have more problems than you realize.
This is a good reason not to rely on other countries for energy. How about becoming energy independent? . We should begin building nuclear power plants or other facilities that will supply electricity to those three states and cut Canada completely off of our power grid. How about using Niagara Falls on the US side to power dynamos for electricity? I wonder how much the United States is paying Canada for electricity.
“Politico lamented, experts say, & Ontario Premier Ford refuses to back down on 25% tariffs on hydro power exports to U.S. until all threats of a tariff are removed” Sounds like our Canadian neighbors’ Ontario leaders don’t want to be treated like they treat the U.S. My electricty rates will rise some unspecified amount until I accept their reign, but probably won’t ever diminsh Thank you President Trump for exposing our neighbors to the north idea of “neighborliness,” I’m ready to Not Accept being bullied by their East provinces, and welcome our 25% tariffs on the products they want from U.S. Our long standing relationship has been shown to still be one-sided.
When will President Trump start asking the Canadians to pay their fair share for the defense cost that Americans have be paying for Canada’s protection for decades? How would Canadians defend themselves from Russian and Chinese aggression without the help of the US? President Trump should send Doug Ford a bill for Ontario’s portion and see how brave he is when this aspect comes into play. On tariffs, let’s charge Canada what they charge us. Canada’s weak economy will go into recession with its current economic policies.
Trudeaus idea of defending Canada is and has been to; sell Canada to the CCP so they don’t have to invade.
This is why the results of the Liberals Investigation into China’s activitys in Canada and in it’s elections have been sealed for 75 years and Canadians were told there is no Chinese influence.
As a member of the 5 eyes that sealed report is already in the hands of the U.S, Australia, New Zealand and the UK.
So Mr (I’m a fool for Trudeau) Ford – Canada/Ontario already had crippling Tarrif’s on American Goods in order to block trade with the US and abtin the goods tariff free from Chima. When is Canada going to drop it’s pre existing tariffs.
And in the Mean time your Chi Com friends are suddenly placing new tariffs on Canada – so are you going to fire sale sell off more land assets and resources to China..
Fords picture as above is the profile of a vacant minded lummox of a man whose only purpose in “WHATS IN IT FOR ME POLITICS” who wants under the table kickbacks like he got from Pfizer and the CCP and now wants Kickbacks from the U.S.
Ford will not get desire and it will be bad for Ontario and Ottawa .
The hidden issue – Canada is hoping for money because Canada is bankrupt
{Dear President Trump,
I see that you are having some issues with Canada related to selling and buying between our countries. I live in California at this time and play golf and eat with a number of our Canadian friends. I can tell you that the price of beer and other alcohol is wide between our countries and the Canadians will buy their liquor and wine in the USA and haul back this alcohol back to Canada as much as they can. Perhaps you can use this with the Prime Minister in your negotiations.
Thanks, Tom Becker