Ontario's Ford Threatens Electricity Cutoff to Minnesota Again

Ontario Premier Doug Ford said Monday he is willing to cut off electricity to the U.S. amid escalating trade tensions, a threat that could impact Minnesota based on past actions. Ford stated "everything is on the table," including power and critical minerals, following new 50 percent tariffs on Canadian autos and steel. Ontario previously imposed a 25 percent surcharge on electricity exported to Minnesota, Michigan, and New York, affecting about 1.5 million homes and businesses. The latest threat follows Prime Minister Mark Carney's withdrawal from trade talks, with the U.S. imposing 50 percent tariffs on $20 billion of Canadian goods and Canada planning retaliation. Ford invoked Ronald Reagan's 1987 anti-tariff speech in his criticism, accusing Trump of trying to hollow out Canadian manufacturing. Ontario's auto industry is tightly linked to U.S. plants, putting the supply chain at the center of the dispute, though Ford still favors continued negotiations.