Ontario Premier Doug Ford has warned that he may cut off electricity to 1.5 million U.S. customers in response to Donald Trump’s newly imposed tariffs on Canadian goods.

Shortly after returning to the White House in January, President Trump signed an order implementing what he called “catastrophic” tariffs, aimed at holding Canada, Mexico, and China accountable for their commitments to curb the flow of illegal drugs into the U.S. The measure includes a 25 percent tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico, along with a 10 percent tariff on Chinese goods.

Trump defended the tariffs, stating that Canada could only avoid them by becoming the U.S.’s “cherished 51st state.”

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issued a firm response in a statement on Monday (March 3), saying: “Today, after a 30-day pause, the United States administration has decided to proceed with imposing 25 percent tariffs on Canadian exports and 10 percent tariffs on Canadian energy. Let me be unequivocally clear – there is no justification for these actions.”

The White House announcement justified the tariffs as part of Trump’s broader strategy to hold Canada, Mexico, and China accountable for issues including illegal immigration and drug trafficking. The administration stated: “There is growing production of fentanyl in Canada, and enough fentanyl was seized at the northern border last fiscal year to kill 9.8 million Americans.

“Additionally, illegal border crossings from Canada reached historic new highs every year for the last four fiscal years.”

Ford’s Response: A Threat to Cut U.S. Power Supply

Doug Ford, who recently secured a third majority, responded strongly during a press conference, warning that Ontario could retaliate by shutting down energy exports to the U.S.