Ontario Premier warns of electricity and mineral cutoffs amid US tariff clash
Ontario Premier Doug Ford said Ronald Reagan would be disgusted by Donald Trump’s tariffs and warned he could block electricity and critical mineral exports if the trade dispute deepens.
In a recent interview, Doug Ford claimed the late Ronald Reagan would be "throwing up on" Donald Trump because of his tariff policy. He cautioned that a worsening Canada-U.S. trade fight might lead Ontario to shut off electricity and withhold critical minerals from the United States. Ford added that all options are on the table after Prime Minister Mark Carney ended negotiations on Friday, recalling a prior TV ad that had angered Trump by invoking Reagan’s anti-tariff rhetoric.
Why it matters
The statements signal rising Canada-U.S. trade tensions that could affect energy and mineral supplies.
How the sides frame it
MODERATE AGREEMENTLeft-leaning coverage frames the story as a policy warning about electricity and mineral cutoffs in response to U.S. tariffs, while centrist coverage highlights the colorful Reagan quote and the “kiss my ass” remark as notable rhetoric, and right-leaning coverage emphasizes the vulgar insult and aggressive language toward Trump.
LEFT
Frames the story as a serious warning about potential electricity and mineral cutoffs amid escalating U.S. tariffs.
CENTER
Frames the story around Ford’s colorful rhetoric, including the Reagan “throwing up on” comment and the “kiss my ass” phrase.
RIGHT
Frames the story as an aggressive, profanity-laden response, stressing Ford’s “annoyed rhetoric” and calls to “make them feel pain.”
The left emphasises
- warns of electricity cutoffs
- threatens to withhold critical minerals
- cites 50% U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods
The right emphasises
- calls Ford’s language “annoyed rhetoric”
- emphasizes the vulgar “kiss my ass” insult
- advocates using “every tool” to make Trump “feel pain”
How this story developed
- Aug 11 Canadian trade minister meets U.S. counterpart again as tariff deadline looms
- Aug 22 The United States invoked the previously unused Section 338 of the 1930 Tariff Act to impose the tariffs.
- Aug 22 Canada said it will roll out retaliatory tariffs on September 8.
- Aug 22 President Donald Trump enacted 50% duties on a wide array of Canadian goods worth about $20 billion, and Prime Minister Mark Carney announced equivalent counter-tariffs starting Sept. 8.
- Aug 22 Canada set September 8 as the effective date for its retaliatory tariffs.
- Aug 23 U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said the United States had offered reduced steel, aluminium and automotive duties as part of the stalled negotiations.
- Aug 23 Trump publicly criticized Canada’s retaliatory tariffs on his social‑media platform.
- Aug 23 Alberta premier Danielle Smith called for a return to trade talks.
- Aug 23 Majumdar, the party’s shadow minister for Canada-U.S. relations, said the request does not seek secret negotiating tactics but material already known to Ottawa and Washington. He argued that transparency would enable a national discussion on the next steps. The trade talks ended after Prime Minister Mark Carney said the United States made demands that threatened Canadian sovereignty and key industries, prompting reciprocal tariffs to be announced.
- Aug 23 Negotiators met for a third day in Washington as the Saturday deadline approaches.
- Aug 24 Neel Kashkari warned the tariff dispute could prolong high inflation.
- Aug 24 The United States announced 50% tariffs on about $20 billion of Canadian imports.
- Aug 24 Legal experts argue the U.S. tariffs may violate congressional authority under the rarely used Section 338.
- Aug 24 Canada suspended all ongoing trade negotiations and recalled its negotiating team to Ottawa.
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