FACT FOCUS: Could Canada leave US cities in the dark as part of the trade war? Not likely
Summary
Canadian officials have suggested that cutting off electricity exports to the U.S. could be considered as a trade response, but experts say this would not cause major blackouts in U.S. cities. The U.S. gets some electricity from Canada, but it has many other sources, so electricity supply would continue, though prices might rise.Key Facts
- Ontario Premier Doug Ford said "everything is on the table" in the trade dispute with the U.S., including possibly cutting electricity exports.
- Canada imposed about $20 billion in tariffs on U.S. goods but has not limited electricity exports so far.
- Canada exported $3.3 billion worth of electricity to the U.S. in 2025; the U.S. imported $1.4 billion worth from Canada.
- The U.S. generated 4,430 terawatt hours of electricity in 2025, while Canadian exports accounted for about 33 terawatt hours to the U.S.
- Experts say stopping electricity from Canada would not cause blackouts because the U.S. has many other electricity sources.
- If Canada cut off electricity, prices in the U.S. could rise due to more expensive alternative energy sources.
- In extreme cases, businesses like data centers might need to reduce power use or switch to backup generators temporarily.
- Any necessary rolling blackouts would be managed with notifications to consumers ahead of time.
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