Canadian PM threatens to cut US energy imports if Trump imposes tariffs on the country

The prime minister of a key oil region in Canada threatens to cut off exports of energy and critical minerals to the US if President-elect Donald Trump implements a broad tariff on all Canadian products.

Trump recently threatened a 25% tariff on all Canadian and Mexican exports in an effort to stem the flow of illegal immigration and illicit drugs coming into the US

Just days after Trump’s announcement, Doug Ford, the Premier of Ontariosaid he would consider retaliatory measures against the US if the incoming president follows through on his promise.

“We’re going to cut their power — down into Michigan, down into New York state and into Wisconsin,” Ford, who represents a region known for its crude oil production, told reporters.

TRUMP BLOWS TRUDEAU WITH NEW TITLE AS HE CONTINUES TO PUSH TARIFFS: ‘GREAT STATE OF CANADA’

The prime minister added that other country officials are identifying ways to hurt US exports if Trump enacts a tariff.

TRUMP SAYS WILL ISSUE EXECUTIVE ORDER TO CHARGE CANADA, MEXICO 25% TARIFFS ON PROFITS WHEN COMMITTEE FILES

“Some premiers proactively identified products that their provinces produce and export to the U.S. and that the U.S. relies on, and that should be considered as part of the Canadian response. This included some critical minerals and metals.” , Ford said.

According to the Energy Information Administration, Canada was the largest source of US energy imports in 2019.

“Canadians are hurting, but I can assure you of one thing: Americans will feel the pain too, and isn’t that unfortunate?” Ford said.

Ford is also considering banning the sale of American-made alcohol in Ontario.

However, Ford may not be able to unilaterally cut off the province’s energy supply to the US, according to a Canadian political science professor.

“I don’t think Ontario can unilaterally stop electricity exports to the US without Ottawa’s approval. Similarly, Michigan can’t unilaterally stop the flow of natural gas from western Canada to the east of the Canada without Washington’s approval,” said Nelson Wiseman, a political science professor at the University of Toronto. in response to Ford’s threat of retaliation.

Trump responded to the threats by saying “it’s fine if he does.”

“The United States is subsidizing Canada, and we shouldn’t be doing that,” Trump told CNBC at the New York Stock Exchange on Thursday. “And we have a great relationship. I have a lot of friends in Canada, but we shouldn’t be subsidizing a country.”

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

After Trump threatened a tariff on the country, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau traveled to West Palm Beach, Florida, to meet with the incoming president at Mar-a-Lago. Trump called it a “very productive meeting.”