Incoming U.S. president Donald Trump is brushing off Ontario91裸聊视频檚 threat to restrict electricity exports in retaliation for sweeping tariffs on Canadian goods, as the province floats the idea of effectively barring sales of American alcohol.
On Wednesday, Premier Doug Ford said Ontario is contemplating restricting electricity exports to Michigan, New York state and Minnesota if Trump follows through on a threat to impose a 25 per cent tariff on imports from Canada.
91裸聊视频淭hat91裸聊视频檚 OK if he that does that. That91裸聊视频檚 fine,91裸聊视频� Trump told American network CNBC when asked Thursday about Ford91裸聊视频檚 remarks on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange.
91裸聊视频淭he United States is subsidizing Canada and we shouldn91裸聊视频檛 have to do that,91裸聊视频� Trump added.
91裸聊视频淎nd we have a great relationship. I have so many friends in Canada, but we shouldn91裸聊视频檛 have to subsidize a country,91裸聊视频� he said, claiming this amounts to more than US$100 billion annually in unspecified subsidies.
Meanwhile, an official in the Ford government says it91裸聊视频檚 considering restricting the Liquor Control Board of Ontario from buying American-made alcohol. The province says the Crown agency is the largest purchaser of alcohol in the world.
The province also says it could restrict exports of Canadian critical minerals required for electric-vehicle batteries, and bar American companies from provincial procurement.
Ford doubled down Thursday on the idea of cutting off energy exports. The province says that in 2013, Ontario exported enough energy to power 1.5 million homes in those three states.
91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 a last resort,91裸聊视频� Ford said. 91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檙e sending a message to the U.S. (that if) you come and attack Ontario, you attack livelihoods of people in Ontario and Canadians, we are going to use every tool in our tool box to defend Ontarians and Canadians. Let91裸聊视频檚 hope it never comes to that.91裸聊视频�
Ontario Energy Minister Stephen Lecce said the province would rather have co-operation with the U.S., but has mechanisms to 91裸聊视频渆nd power sale into the U.S. market91裸聊视频� the day Trump takes office on Jan. 20.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith ruled out following suit.
91裸聊视频淯nder no circumstances will Alberta agree to cut off oil and gas exports,91裸聊视频� she said. 91裸聊视频淥ur approach is one of diplomacy, not threats.91裸聊视频�
Michael Sabia, president and CEO of Hydro-Qu茅bec, said 91裸聊视频渋t91裸聊视频檚 not our current intention91裸聊视频� to cut off Quebec91裸聊视频檚 exports to Massachusetts or New York state, but he conceded it might be possible.
91裸聊视频淥ur intention is to respect those contracts, both because they91裸聊视频檙e legally binding, but also because it91裸聊视频檚 part of, in our view, a sound relationship with the United States,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 a questionable instrument to use in a trade conflict.91裸聊视频�
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew would not directly say whether Manitoba would threaten to withhold hydroelectric exports.
91裸聊视频淲e are preparing our list and starting to think through what those options should look like,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淚91裸聊视频檓 not going to make specific news today about items that we91裸聊视频檙e looking at.91裸聊视频�
Kinew added that some premiers felt retaliatory measures wouldn91裸聊视频檛 work in a call Trudeau held Wednesday.
Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey said 91裸聊视频渨e have no interest in stopping91裸聊视频� the export of energy to the U.S., adding that a trade war would hurt both countries.
91裸聊视频淲e hope it is just bluster; we91裸聊视频檙e preparing as if it is not,91裸聊视频� he said.
Canada supplies more oil to the U.S. than any other country. About 60 per cent of U.S. crude oil imports are from Canada, and 85 per cent of U.S. electricity imports as well.
Canada sold $170 billion worth of energy products last year to the U.S. It also has 34 critical minerals and metals the Pentagon is eager for.
Trump has threatened to impose a 25 per cent tax on all products entering the United States from Canada and Mexico unless they stem the flow of migrants and drugs.
Canadian officials have said it is unfair to lump Canada in with Mexico.
U.S. customs agents seized 43 pounds of fentanyl at the Canadian border last fiscal year, compared with 21,100 pounds at the Mexican border.
Canada since has promised more border security spending to address Trump91裸聊视频檚 border concerns. Ford said that will include more border and police officers, as well as drones and sniffer dogs.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 12, 2024.
91裸聊视频� With files from The Associated Press, Liam Casey in Toronto, Lisa Johnson in Edmonton and Steve Lambert in Winnipeg.
Dylan Robertson, The Canadian Press
