The True Post (Web News)Ontario Premier Doug Ford has announced significant changes to the province’s budget and economic strategy in the wake of recent U.S. tariffs. He has called U.S. President Donald Trump’s 25 percent tariff on Canadian products “economic warfare” and made it clear that Ontario will continue to retaliate until the tariffs are completely lifted.
The Ontario government has taken several key steps in response to the US tariffs
: Cancelling contracts with US companies: Ontario has cancelled a $100 million internet connectivity deal with Elon Musk’s company Starlink.
Boycotting US products: The province has removed US alcohol products from LCBO shelves and excluded US companies from nearly $30 billion in provincial government contracts.
25 per cent surcharge on electricity exports: Ontario has imposed a 25 per cent surcharge on electricity exported to New York, Michigan and Minnesota, which is expected to generate about $400,000 in revenue per day.
Threatening to ban exports of key minerals: Ford has also threatened to block exports of key minerals like nickel to the US, which are essential to the US defence and aerospace industries.
Ford has warned that the US tariffs could affect 500,000 jobs in Ontario. He said the measures are also harmful to the U.S. economy, as tariffs on Canadian products are effectively a tax on American consumers.
In March 2025, Ford temporarily suspended the electricity surcharge after meeting with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Littnick to pave the way for trade talks. However, Ford has made it clear that Ontario will continue to take countermeasures until the U.S. tariffs are fully lifted.
The situation shows how international trade disputes can have profound effects on provincial budgets, economic strategies and public services.
