Even before taking office on January 20, the newly elected American president threatened to impose a 25% tax on Canadian and Mexican products, a decision justified in his opinion by the opioid and immigration crises.
Ontario, Canada’s largest province, could cut all its electricity exports to the United States if President-elect Donald Trump implements promised tariffs, its chief executive assured on Wednesday. The premier of the province, Doug Ford, issued this threat after a meeting wiht Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and representatives of the other provinces on the response to the threats of the future American president. Even before taking office on January 20, donald Trump threatened to tax Canadian and Mexican products at 25%, a decision justified in his opinion by the opioid and immigration crises.
“We will go all the way, depending on the extent of the situation, we will go all the way to cutting off thier electricity, all the way to Michigan, all the way to new York State, all the way to Wisconsin.”Doug Ford, whose province borders these American states in particular, told the press.Last year, Ontario exported 12 billion kWh of electricity to the US states of Minnesota, New York and Michigan. Enough to supply 1.5 million households, his team told AFP.
This is an important moment for Canada and we are resolute and steadfast to meet it. »
Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland
When asked whether he supported this proposal, Justin Trudeau’s office did not immediately respond. But at a news conference in Ottawa after the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland said as much“a number of prime ministers” the provincials had expressed themselves “strongly support a firm Canadian response to unjustified tariffs”. “This is an critically important moment for Canada and we are resolute and determined to face it”he said.
The Canadian prime minister, as Trump likes to describe him “governor” of “province” of canada, traveled to Florida in late November to meet Donald Trump, said this week that these tariffs would be applied “devastating” for the country. According to Canadian media, his government plans to present a border security plan worth more than $700 million to the Republican team in the coming weeks.During Trump’s first term, the United States imposed tariffs of 25% on steel imports and 10% on aluminum imports, to which Ottawa responded by targeting some products.