Ontario Premier Doug Ford stated that Canada should be prepared to cut off electricity and critical minerals to the United States if the escalating trade conflict worsens, invoking the legacy of former President Ronald Reagan.
In an interview with The Associated Press, Ford suggested that President Donald Trump has underestimated Canadians' resolve to withstand economic hardship rather than yield to U.S. pressure. "He underestimates Canada. We’re all in," Ford said. "Up here, we’re at a fever pitch, everyone’s in for an economic war. They know they’re going to have to sacrifice."
Ford criticized Trump's trade policies, asserting that Reagan, a proponent of free trade, would be "throwing up" if he saw the current situation. "He’d be throwing up on him from the picture if he knew what was going on, spinning around in his grave right now," Ford said, referring to a portrait of Reagan that Trump keeps near his desk. "He should maybe take that picture off the wall and move it somewhere else. Because right now, Ronald Reagan would be disgusted with President Trump."
These remarks followed Prime Minister Mark Carney's withdrawal from trade negotiations with the Trump administration. The U.S. imposed 50% tariffs on approximately $20 billion worth of Canadian goods on a Saturday, prompting Carney to announce retaliatory tariffs beginning September 8. Trump further escalated the dispute Monday, threatening a 50% tariff on Canadian automobiles, auto parts, and steel starting next year.
Trump had previously written on social media that "Canada has been ripping off the United States of America for years," citing what he called "ridiculously high tariffs" on American farmers.
Ford declared that "everything is on the table" should the dispute intensify, including cutting off electricity and critical minerals from Ontario. He also proposed Canada consider using oil and potash as leverage. "I’ll cut them off," Ford said of critical minerals, emphasizing that "You won’t get a grain of sand out of Ontario."
Critical minerals are vital for U.S. national security and manufacturing, particularly for military applications. The Pentagon has been seeking more secure supplies of these minerals to reduce reliance on China, which dominates the global market for several strategically important resources. Ford specifically mentioned high-grade nickel and refined uranium sourced from Ontario.
Ford indicated that Ontario could increase electricity prices or halt power exports, noting that the province powers 1.5 million homes and businesses. "Everything’s on the table. I’ll do whatever it takes," he stated.
This is not the first time Ford has used electricity as leverage. During an earlier phase of the trade dispute, Ontario implemented a 25% surcharge on electricity exported to Michigan, Minnesota, and New York. Trump responded by threatening to double tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum, though both sides eventually backed down.
Ford accused Trump of aiming to dismantle Canadian industries and transfer production to the U.S., suggesting that Trump wants to make Canada a "vassal state." The auto sector, a significant part of Ontario's economy and tightly integrated with U.S. manufacturing, is particularly vulnerable. Trump's threat of tariffs on vehicles and parts places this sector directly at the center of the dispute.
U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer countered that Canada's auto production exists due to the 1960s Auto Pact. Ford dismissed this, stating, "If he thinks the Canadian people are going to roll over and just continue buying American-made vehicles, it’s not going to happen."
Ford also revealed his opposition to a preliminary agreement that Carney had considered before Canada withdrew from negotiations. "I wasn’t supporting the deal," Ford said, adding that he was prepared to publicly reject the proposed terms, including the restoration of American liquor sales in Ontario.
Reports suggest that Washington sought language restricting Canada's ability to negotiate trade agreements with other countries without U.S. approval, a demand Carney deemed unacceptable and a violation of Canadian sovereignty.
Ford's comparison to Reagan echoes a previous dispute, where Ontario ran U.S. television ads featuring Reagan's warnings against tariffs. Trump accused Ontario of misrepresenting Reagan, leading to a temporary halt in trade talks. Ford later agreed to pause the campaign to allow negotiations to resume.
Despite the heated rhetoric, Ford maintained that Canada should remain open to negotiation. "I never believe in walking away from the table," he said. "Continue negotiating and see where we go."