TORONTO: Ontario Premier Doug Ford issued a stern warning on Wednesday, threatening to halt energy exports to the United States if President-elect Donald Trump follows through with a proposed 25% tariff on Canadian imports. The announcement came after a strategic meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and provincial premiers to address potential economic repercussions and devise a response. According to Anadolu Agency, Ford stated that Ontario is prepared to cut off energy supplies to states like Michigan, New York, and Wisconsin if the tariffs are implemented. This bold stance underscores the high stakes in the escalating trade tensions between Canada and the United States. Ford emphasized the potential impact on American states reliant on Canadian energy, signaling the seriousness of Canada's position. Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland and Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc adopted a more diplomatic tone in a subsequent press conference. Freeland assured that Canada would deliver a "robust C anadian response to unjustified American tariffs," hinting at retaliatory measures targeting metals and critical minerals but providing few specifics. Trump's tariff threat is linked to his demand for Canada and Mexico to curb the flow of drugs, particularly fentanyl, and illegal immigration into the U.S. LeBlanc highlighted that a minimal percentage of these issues originate from Canada, with only 0.6% of fentanyl and 0.2% of illegal immigrants entering the U.S. from the north. In an effort to prevent the tariffs, Canadian provincial leaders plan to enhance dialogue with American governors and U.S. business leaders. Such collaboration aims to underscore the mutual economic harm tariffs could inflict by raising prices for consumers on both sides of the border. LeBlanc mentioned that an "overview" of a border plan was discussed during the meeting, with further details to be disclosed soon to both Trump and the Canadian public.