As Trump Escalates Trade War, Some Canadian Premiers Want to Hit Back

This week President Trump signed an order imposing 50 percent tariffs on a wide array of Canadian exports in retaliation for Canada’s retaliation on his earlier tariffs, and some Canadian premiers were soon urging even more revenge.

[Read: Trump to Impose 50% Tariff on Many Canadian Goods]

[Read: Trump Is Squeezing Canada. Don’t Expect Carney to Roll Over.]

Doug Ford, Ontario’s premier, called on Ottawa to block or limit exports of potash, important minerals and energy, including oil and electricity. All of those items, which are among Canada’s largest exports, are excluded from the new tariffs taking effect on Aug. 19.

“They need to feel the pain,” Mr. Ford said.

The tariffs dominated talk at the premiers’ annual summer meeting this week in Charlottetown. Susan Holt, the premier of New Brunswick, home to a large oil refinery that provides the Boston area with much of its gasoline, also raised the possibility of striking back with energy restrictions.

“We put gas in their cars, we put jet fuel in their fighter jets, and we heat and cool their homes,” Ms. Holt said. “So we know that we have those kinds of tools at our disposal.”

And business leaders and other politicians across the country are pushing for more tariffs on imports from the United States, like the 25 percent one Canada put on cars after Mr. Trump imposed one on Canadian-made cars.