Potential ammunition in U.S. tariff war

By Richard Coffin

A central export in the burgeoning tariff war with the United States has a key role in our region.  

The high-grade nickel that Premier Doug Ford is talking about withholding comes from Sudbury.  

He says it accounts for 50% of the nickel used for the U.S. military and manufacturing.  

“If we have to stockpile that nickel here and sell it to the rest of the world and shut down your military and manufacturing, I’ll do it in a heartbeat,” says Ford.

With U.S. President Donald Trump imposing 25% tariffs on all Canadian goods and 10% on energy, Ford says he’ll use all tools necessary to deal a counter blow south of the border.  

“If they want to try and annihilate Ontario, I will do everything including cut off the energy, with a smile on my face,” he says. 

For now, American liquor is coming off the shelves at the LCBO and the province is cancelling its Internet contract with Starlink, which is owned by Elon Musk.  

The Canadian government says immediate retaliation involves matching tariffs on $30 billion worth of American imports.  

That includes fruits and vegetables, dairy products, poultry, and almost all types of alcohol, tobacco, and bottled water.  

A second round worth $125 billion, will go into effect in 21 days. 

**With files from Norman Jack