In a recent interview, Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow signaled her support for drastic measures, including raising electricity prices and potentially cutting power exports to the United States, in an effort to address escalating trade disputes with the Trump administration.
Chow emphasized that Canada should take “whatever it takes” to secure Washington’s attention, specifically calling for increased electricity rates as a strategy to counter ongoing uncertainty in bilateral relations. Her remarks follow Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s earlier threat to restrict electricity exports to the U.S., though Ford later stated he would not act unilaterally on the issue. Critics warn that such actions could harm ordinary American households, reduce revenue for Canadian producers, and trigger retaliatory measures against Canadian businesses, potentially damaging the deeply interconnected economies of both nations.
Chow’s endorsement of leveraging Ontario’s electricity exports as leverage has added significant pressure to an already strained U.S.-Canada trade relationship. Analysts note that an actual power cutoff would further disrupt cross-border energy markets and complicate efforts to reach a negotiated settlement, given the two countries’ recent imposition of steep tariffs and threats of additional economic measures.
