Smith urges Ford to walk back energy threat in possible U.S. tariff showdown [Video]

Ontario Premier Doug Ford is being urged to “walk back” any discussion of cutting off energy exports to the United States in the event of a tariff war with incoming President Donald Trump, as other premiers express concerns about the impacts of escalation.

The call comes from Alberta Premier Danielle Smith whose province has rejected the idea of using oil and gas exports as a bargaining chip in the ongoing Canadian effort to avoid tariffs by the incoming Trump administration.

“I think it’s a non-starter,” Smith told Global News on Monday. “I think it’s too dangerous to even talk about cutting off energy. Wars have been started over that kind of conversation.”

Ford sparked headlines across the United States when he threatened to cut off Ontario’s electricity exports to New York, Michigan and Minnesota as a retaliatory measure – a warning the premier has doubled down on in appearances on Canadian and American media.