Trump underestimates us: Doug Ford takes aim at US over tariffs

Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney and Ontario Premier Doug Ford are taking aim at the US over its new tariffs, threatening to apply economic pressure with energy surcharges and targeting key commodities like potash.

Canada is the top customer for 26 US states, including Maine, Michigan, and Wisconsin. The country also supplies the vast majority of US natural gas and electricity imports and about 60% of crude oil imports. For related coverage, explore our detailed analysis on Technology and Digital Systems.

Key Analysis and Detailed Timeline

Ford, one of the most vocal Canadian leaders opposing the Trump administration's tariffs, also did not rule out specifically targeting Republican US states with retaliatory measures and "making sure America's economy feels the pain".

As for the coming midterms, Ford stated: "If I were allowed to, I'd be down there door-knocking".

This video can not be played 'Trump underestimates us': Doug Ford takes aim at US over tariffs What leverage does Canada, which sells about 70% of its goods to the US, actually have in this spiralling trade dispute with its southern neighbour, who also happens to be the world's largest economy?

Broader Impact and Sector Outlook

Canada is the top customer for 26 US states, including Maine, Michigan, and Wisconsin. And it is in the top three for 45 of the 50 American states, suggesting Prime Minister Mark Carney has room to manoeuvre in a trade fight.

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For now, Carney's planned Canadian retaliatory duties are strategic "dollar-for-dollar" countermeasures focused on steel, dairy, appliances, agricultural equipment, electronics, pulp and paper - though the list is still being finalised.

Here are some areas that Canada can apply economic pressure.

Carney noted on Saturday that Canada supplies the vast majority of US natural gas and electricity imports and about 60% of crude oil imports.

"I don't think they want us to suspend sending any of that energy," he stated.

Squeezing the US on energy is not in the current countermeasures, although various political authorities have stated explicitly it wasn't ruled out - and not all provincial premiers have been keen to use that leverage.

Ford, whose Ontario province is home to Canada's auto manufacturing industry, is open to how far the dispute could go and stated that an "energy surcharge is on the table".