Ontario Premier Doug Ford has warned that Canada should be prepared to use some of its most valuable exports as leverage against the United States if the trade dispute between the two countries worsens, including potentially cutting off electricity and critical minerals.
In an interview with The Associated Press on Monday, Ford said “everything is on the table” after Prime Minister Mark Carney walked away from negotiations with the Trump administration late Friday. Ford argued that U.S. President Donald Trump had underestimated Canadians’ willingness to endure economic pain rather than give in to American pressure.
Ford also invoked former U.S. President Ronald Reagan, saying Reagan would be “disgusted” by Trump’s trade policies. His comments came as relations between the longtime allies deteriorated further following the collapse of negotiations.
Ford puts electricity and critical minerals on the table
Ford’s strongest warning centered on resources strategically important to the United States. He said Ontario could stop shipments of critical minerals if Washington continued targeting Canadian industries, declaring that the U.S. would not get “a grain of sand out of Ontario.”
The premier specifically highlighted high-grade nickel shipped south and uranium refined in Ontario. He also pointed to electricity, saying Ontario supplies enough power for about 1.5 million U.S. homes and businesses and could raise prices or stop sending electricity across the border. Ford also suggested Canada consider oil and potash as potential leverage.
Ontario has previously used electricity in the trade dispute, imposing a 25% surcharge on power exported to Michigan, Minnesota and New York before both sides stepped away from their respective threats.
Auto industry emerges as major battleground
Ford’s warning came as Trump threatened a 50% tariff on Canadian automobiles, auto parts and steel beginning next year. The threat carries particular significance for Ontario, the heart of Canada’s auto manufacturing industry, where factories and suppliers are closely integrated with U.S. production.
The United States had already imposed 50% tariffs on about $20 billion worth of Canadian goods on Saturday after negotiations failed. Carney subsequently announced that Canada would retaliate dollar-for-dollar beginning Sept. 8.
Ford backed Carney’s decision to leave the talks and told AP he had opposed the preliminary agreement being considered before negotiations ended. He accused Trump of trying to weaken Canadian industries and shift production into the United States.
Despite the increasingly confrontational rhetoric, Ford did not shut the door on diplomacy. He said Canada should remain willing to negotiate while holding firm on its economic interests and sovereignty.
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