Trump Hits Canada with Steep Tariffs Following Ontario’s Electricity Surcharge [WATCH]

President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that his administration will impose significant new tariffs on Canadian imports, escalating trade tensions between the two countries.

The move comes in response to Ontario’s decision to impose a 25% tariff on electricity exports to the United States.

Trump stated that he directed Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to apply an additional 25% tariff on all steel and aluminum imports from Canada, effectively doubling existing tariffs to 50%. These new tariffs will take effect Wednesday morning.

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The president made the announcement on Truth Social, where he described Canada as “ONE OF THE HIGHEST TARIFFING NATIONS ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD.”

Ontario Premier Doug Ford introduced the 25% tariff on electricity exports to the U.S. on Monday, affecting the states of Michigan, New York, and Minnesota. Ford justified the decision by stating that the surcharge would cost American families and businesses up to $400,000 per day, increasing the average household electricity bill by approximately $100 per month.

Speaking in front of a podium that read “Canada is not for sale,” Ford warned of further actions if the U.S. escalates.

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“Let me be clear: I will not hesitate to increase this charge,” Ford said.

“If necessary, if the United States escalates, I will not hesitate to shut the electricity off completely. Believe me when I say I do not want to do this. I feel terrible for the American people because it’s not the American people who started this trade war. It’s one person who’s responsible. That’s President Trump.”

Trump quickly responded with a follow-up statement on Truth Social, questioning why the U.S. should rely on foreign electricity.

“Why would our Country allow another Country to supply us with electricity, even for a small area?” Trump said. “Who made these decisions, and why? And can you imagine Canada stooping so low as to use ELECTRICITY, that so affects the life of innocent people, as a bargaining chip and threat? They will pay a financial price for this so big that it will be read about in History Books for many years to come!”

Trump also called on Canada to immediately drop what he described as “Anti-American Farmer Tariff of 250% to 390% on various U.S. dairy products.”

He indicated that he would soon declare “a National Emergency on Electricity within the threatened area,” allowing the U.S. to take action to mitigate the impact of Ontario’s tariff.

In addition to the new steel and aluminum tariffs, Trump warned that if Canada does not drop its existing trade barriers, he will raise tariffs on automobiles entering the U.S. beginning April 2.

“If other egregious, long-time Tariffs are not likewise dropped by Canada, I will substantially increase, on April 2nd, the Tariffs on Cars coming into the U.S. which will, essentially, permanently shut down the automobile manufacturing business in Canada. Those cars can easily be made in the USA!” Trump said.

Trump has previously suggested that the U.S. could exert economic pressure on Canada, though he ruled out the use of military force.

However, he has not ruled out military options regarding other geopolitical interests, including Greenland and the Panama Canal.

The president also criticized Canada’s defense spending, claiming the country relies too heavily on the U.S. for military protection.

“We are subsidizing Canada to the tune of more than 200 Billion Dollars a year. WHY??? This cannot continue,” Trump wrote.

Trump went further by suggesting that Canada should become the 51st state of the United States, eliminating trade disputes altogether.

“The only thing that makes sense is for Canada to become our cherished Fifty First State. This would make all Tariffs, and everything else, totally disappear. Canadians’ taxes will be very substantially reduced, they will be more secure, militarily and otherwise, than ever before, there would no longer be a Northern Border problem, and the greatest and most powerful nation in the World will be bigger, better and stronger than ever — And Canada will be a big part of that,” Trump said.

At his Monday press conference, Ford thanked outgoing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for his leadership while expressing concern over Trump’s economic policies.

“Until these tariffs are off the table, until the threat of tariffs is gone for good, Ontario will not relent,” Ford stated.

“We need to end the chaos once and for all.”

The escalating tensions mark one of the most significant trade confrontations between the U.S. and Canada in recent years, with both sides warning of further actions if the dispute is not resolved.

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