Doug Ford, the Premier of Ontario, Canada’s most populous province, has threatened to drop the axe on energy supply to the neighbouring US as a retaliatory act, in response to President Donald Trump’s new 25% tariffs on imports that took effect Tuesday.

“If they want to try to annihilate Ontario, I will do everything — including cut off their energy with a smile on my face,” Ontario Premier Doug Ford vowed Monday, the Toronto Sun reported.

“They rely on our energy, they need to feel the pain. They want to come at us hard, we’re going to come back twice as hard.”

It’s understood that Ontario contributed power to at least 1.5 million homes in the US in 2023, in addition to being a major exporter of electricity to New York, Michigan and Minnesota.

He also urged other Provinces to join a unified effort to make a statement to the US, noting that they have a major role in their economic chess game.

“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.”

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau responded immediately, saying the nation would launch 25% tariffs on C$30 billion — or US$20.7 billion — worth of US imports, including orange juice, peanut butter, wine, spirits, beer, coffee, appliances, apparel, footwear, motorcycles, cosmetics, and pulp and paper, as New York Post.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Trudeau accused President Trump of starting a trade war between the countries, however, insisted Canada “will not back down.