OTTAWA — Incoming U.S. president Donald Trump is dismissing Ontario’s menace to limit electrical energy exports in retaliation for sweeping tariffs on Canadian items, because the province floats the thought of successfully barring gross sales of American alcohol.
On Wednesday, Premier Doug Ford mentioned Ontario is considering proscribing electrical energy exports to Michigan, New York state and Minnesota if Trump follows by means of on a menace to impose a 25 per cent tariff on imports from Canada.
“That is OK if he that does that. That is wonderful,” Trump advised American community CNBC when requested Thursday about Ford’s remarks on the ground of the New York Inventory Alternate.
“America is subsidizing Canada and we shouldn’t have to try this,” Trump added.
“And we’ve got a terrific relationship. I’ve so many pals in Canada, however we shouldn’t must subsidize a rustic,” he mentioned, claiming this quantities to greater than US$100 billion yearly in unspecified subsidies.
In the meantime, an official within the Ford authorities says it is contemplating proscribing the Liquor Management Board of Ontario from shopping for American-made alcohol. The province says the Crown company is the biggest purchaser of alcohol on the planet.
The province additionally says it might prohibit exports of Canadian crucial minerals required for electric-vehicle batteries, and bar American corporations from provincial procurement.
Ford doubled down Thursday on the thought of chopping off vitality exports. The province says that in 2013, Ontario exported sufficient vitality to energy 1.5 million houses in these three states.
“It is a final resort,” Ford mentioned. “We’re sending a message to the U.S. (that if) you come and assault Ontario, you assault livelihoods of individuals in Ontario and Canadians, we’re going to use each device in our device field to defend Ontarians and Canadians. Let’s hope it by no means involves that.”
Ontario Vitality Minister Stephen Lecce mentioned the province would relatively have co-operation with the U.S., however has mechanisms to “finish energy sale into the U.S. market” the day Trump takes workplace on Jan. 20.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith dominated out following go well with.
“Certainly not will Alberta agree to chop off oil and gasoline exports,” she mentioned. “Our strategy is one in all diplomacy, not threats.”
Michael Sabia, president and CEO of Hydro-Québec, mentioned “it isn’t our present intention” to chop off Quebec’s exports to Massachusetts or New York state, however he conceded it is likely to be doable.
“Our intention is to respect these contracts, each as a result of they’re legally binding, but additionally as a result of it is a part of, in our view, a sound relationship with america,” he mentioned. “It is a questionable instrument to make use of in a commerce battle.”
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew wouldn’t immediately say whether or not Manitoba would threaten to withhold hydroelectric exports.
“We’re getting ready our checklist and beginning to assume by means of what these choices ought to appear to be,” he mentioned. “I am not going to make particular information right this moment about objects that we’re taking a look at.”
Kinew added that some premiers felt retaliatory measures would not work in a name Trudeau held Wednesday.
Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey mentioned “we’ve got no real interest in stopping” the export of vitality to the U.S., including {that a} commerce warfare would damage each international locations.
“We hope it’s simply bluster; we’re getting ready as if it isn’t,” he mentioned.
Canada provides extra oil to the U.S. than another nation. About 60 per cent of U.S. crude oil imports are from Canada, and 85 per cent of U.S. electrical energy imports as nicely.
Canada offered $170 billion value of vitality merchandise final 12 months to the U.S. It additionally has 34 crucial minerals and metals the Pentagon is keen for.
Trump has threatened to impose a 25 per cent tax on all merchandise getting into america from Canada and Mexico until they stem the circulation of migrants and medicines.
Canadian officers have mentioned it’s unfair to lump Canada in with Mexico.
U.S. customs brokers seized 43 kilos of fentanyl on the Canadian border final fiscal 12 months, in contrast with 21,100 kilos on the Mexican border.
Canada since has promised extra border safety spending to handle Trump’s border considerations. Ford mentioned that may embrace extra border and law enforcement officials, in addition to drones and sniffer canine.
This report by The Canadian Press was first printed Dec. 12, 2024.
— With recordsdata from The Related Press, Liam Casey in Toronto, Lisa Johnson in Edmonton and Steve Lambert in Winnipeg.
Dylan Robertson, The Canadian Press
