In response to Donald Trump’s contentious announcement of new tariffs, a Canadian premier has declared that he will cut off power to 1.5 million US consumers.
President Trump approved an order imposing “catastrophic” tariffs shortly after his return to the White House in January. The order imposed 10 percent tariffs on Chinese goods and 25 percent on goods imported from Canada and Mexico in an effort to “hold China, Mexico, and Canada accountable for their promises to halt the flood of poisonous drugs into the US.”
Canada’s sole “solution” to avoid the tariff, according to the 47th President of the United States, is to become the “cherished 51st State” of the United States.
In a statement issued on Monday, March 3, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated: “The U.S. administration has chosen to move forward with enacting 25% tariffs on Canadian exports and 10% duties on Canadian energy today, following a 30-day suspension. Let me state this clearly: there is no excuse for these acts.
The duties are part of Trump’s ‘strong move to hold Mexico, Canada, and China accountable to their pledges of preventing illegal immigration and stopping toxic fentanyl and other drugs from flooding into our nation,’ according to a White House announcement.
“Fentanyl production is increasing in Canada, and last fiscal year, enough fentanyl was seized at the northern border to kill 9.8 million Americans,” the order reads.
“Additionally, illegal border crossings from Canada reached historic new highs every year for the last four fiscal years.”
During a press conference, Ontario Premier Doug Ford, who secured a third majority last week, declared: “I will stop at nothing to try to destroy Ontario, even shutting off their energy – with a smile on my face.
“The grief must be felt by them. They want to take a harsh line at us? We must return twice as forcefully.
“We [Ontario] turn on the lights in 1.5 million homes and [in] manufacturing in New York, in Michigan, and in Minnesota,” Ford said NBC.
“If he wants to destroy our economy and our families, I will shut down the electricity going into the US.”
Speaking on Monday at a mining convention in downtown Toronto, Ford further emphasized his original assertions.
Ford stated: “I will do everything — including cutting off their energy with a smile on my face — if they want to try to annihilate Ontario,” according to the Toronto Sun.
Because they depend on our energy, they must experience the suffering. We will return twice as forcefully if they try to attack us with great force.
“We’re going to do exactly that,” he continued.
“The provinces have a big say in it, but it’s the federal government that’s leading the charge, and we’re going to stand shoulder-to-shoulder no matter who’s in the federal government.”
