Ontario Premier Doug Ford says that his province would cut off energy exports to the U.S. if President-elect Donald Trump moves forward with plans to enact 25% tariffs on Canadian products.

Canada accounts for roughly 65% of all U.S. crude oil imports, in addition to more than $4 billion worth of electricity each year. According to CBC, Ford said at a December 11 press conference that Canada will "use every tool in our toolbox to fight back" if Trump follows through on his proposed tariffs, and that his own priority is to protect the people of his province and country. 

“We can’t sit back and roll over," he added. 

Although it's unclear whether Ford would have the authority to unilaterally shut off power to the U.S., the premier said that he hopes any such action would be a last resort. His office estimates that Ontario powered 1.5 million homes in the U.S. in 2023, spread across Minnesota, New York, Michigan and more. 

Hours before Ford's press conference, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met virtually with Canada's provincial and territorial leaders to discuss the potential fallout of Trump's threatened levies. Trudeau also spoke at an event with the Halifax Chamber of Commerce on December 9, where he warned that tariffs "would be devastating for the Canadian economy," while also raising prices on goods for Americans.