Ontario Premier Doug Ford has threatened to halt nickel shipments to the United States in an escalation step ahead of a potential trade war between the two countries, following the imposition of new tariffs on Canadian imports by the administration of former President Donald Trump.

During his statements, Ford confirmed that his government would not remain idle in the face of American actions targeting the Canadian economy, emphasizing that Ontario, being one of the largest nickel producers in the world, has the ability to impact U.S. supply chains if necessary.

Nickel is a key metal in many industries, including battery manufacturing and advanced technology, which makes any restrictions on its export to the United States a powerful bargaining chip in the trade confrontation between the two countries.

Ford's threats come at a time when the Canadian federal government is preparing to respond to the U.S. tariffs, amid growing concerns about broader economic repercussions for businesses and workers in both countries.