Canadian politician threatens to cut off electricity to the US in response to Donald Trump's 50% tariffs

A Canadian politician has threatened to cut off electricity and mineral supplies to the US after President Trump said tariffs would rise to 50% on some goods.

Doug Ford, premier of Ontario, Canada's most populous province, said he would "cut them off" in response to the US's import tax hike on select Canadian goods.

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Mr Ford said that Ontario powered 1.5 million homes and businesses in the US - and he warned that Mr Trump "better have a pack of batteries".

He added: "You won't get a grain of sand out of Ontario."

It comes as Mr Trump said in a social media post the US will impose 50% tariffs on Canadian steel, cars, trucks and car parts entering the US from 1 January.

"Canada has been ripping off the United States of America for years," the post read.

At present, those automotive goods are subject to a 25% tax when they enter the US, while steel goods face tariffs from 10% up to 50%, depending on the item.

Mr Ford also said that Ronald Reagan, the pro-free trade former Republican president, would be "throwing up" over the Trump administration's trade policies.

A portrait of Mr Reagan hangs in the Oval Office, where Mr Trump works.

An ongoing battle

The war of words is just the latest exchange between the countries.

Addressing the breakdown in trade talks on Monday evening, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said: "We could not accept what the US has offered, nor could we give what they asked."

As a result, the US's planned increases to tariffs on Canadian goods took effect, and a range of goods, including alcohol, wood products and clothes, have been levied with tariffs of 50% since Saturday.

Threats have been exchanged, and acted on, between the US and Canada before.

Ontario had imposed a 25% charge on electricity exported to Michigan, Minnesota and New York, but Mr Trump responded by threatening to double tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminium before both threats were revoked.

(c) Sky News 2026: Canadian politician threatens to cut off electricity to the US in response to Donald Tr