'No one knows' what Trump actually wants from Canada: Conservative Ontario premier

Ontario Premier Doug Ford apologized to the American people Tuesday after floating the idea of cutting off the energy supply flowing in from Canada.

Canada is considering the drastic move now that President Donald Trump's 25 percent tariffs against goods coming in from Canada have gone into effect.

On Tuesday, Ford told CNN's John Berman, "This is unnecessary and we do have to retaliate. And I apologize to the American people. It's not you; it's your president that's causing this problem. We're the number one customer in the world to the United States.We had a great relationship, and want to continue on with that relationship, but I will use every tool in our toolbox to send a message to President Trump that this is the wrong thing to do."

Ford initially told Politico, "We will go to the extent of cutting off their energy — going down to Michigan, going down to New York State and over to Wisconsin. I don’t want this to happen, but my number one job is to protect Ontarians and Canadians as a whole."

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Ontario's premiere then expounded on the energy threat to CNN.

"You know, we power, Ontario powers 1.5 million homes and businesses in New York and Michigan and Minnesota. I've talked to all three governors. I want to ship more electricity. I want to send more critical minerals. But I will not hesitate to use every tool in our toolbox to protect Ontarians and Canadians across the board. I've never seen patriotism run so wild across our country, right down to the grocery aisles. People refuse to buy American products. This this is not right. We love America. We love the people. And the president needs to be stopped, simple as that."

Berman tried to get at the crux of what Trump wants from Canada before lifting the tariffs.

"We've heard over the last few weeks it's cracking down on the border, going after fentanyl distribution," Berman began. "Now, the president is saying he wants much of the manufacturing returned to the United States. What do you think the ask is?"

"No one knows what the ask is," Ford quipped. "It depends on what he wakes up and eats in the morning, and that changes."

Watch the clip below via CNN.