Trump’s recent announcement followed a move by Ontario Premier Doug Ford to impose 25% extra tariffs on electricity to 1.5 million Americans in retaliation against his trade war.
In a dramatic escalation to a long-simmering trade war with Canada, US President Donald Trump on Tuesday announced that he has directed his Commerce Secretary to double tariffs on all Canadian imports to 50%. His reaction followed after Ontario imposed a 25% tariff on electricity supplied to the US.
Based on Ontario, Canada, imposing a 25% Tariff on “Electricity” entering the United States, I have directed my Secretary of Commerce to impose an ADDITIONAL 25% Tariff, to 50%, on all STEEL and ALUMINUM ENTERING THE UNITED STATES FROM CANADA, ONE OF THE HIGHEST TARIFFING COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
The tariff will take effect on Wednesday (March 12), bringing to a sudden halt the temporary lull in tariffs Trump had imposed previously on Canadian imports. Trump’s trade war against Washington’s three largest trading partners – Canada, Mexico and China, has attracted swift revenge and destroyed financial markets.
This will enable the US to rapidly do what needs to be done to relieve this abusive threat from Canada,” he said. He also threatened to “substantially increase” tariffs on automobiles entering the United States on April 2 “if other egregious, long time Tariffs are not similarly dropped by Canada.”
Canada’s PM-designate Mark Carney strongly responded to Trump’s new announcement. “President Trump’s most recent tariffs are a blow to Canadian workers, families, and businesses. My government will maximize the impact of our response in the US and minimize the impact here in Canada and stand behind the workers who have been affected,” he wrote on X.
President Trump’s new tariffs are a hit on Canadian families, workers, and businesses. My government will make sure our response is most effective in the US and least effective here in Canada while standing with the affected workers. My government will maintain our tariffs.
