In an escalating trade dispute, U.S. President Donald Trump has doubled tariffs on aluminum and steel imports from Canada, responding to Ontario’s new tariff on electricity flowing into northern U.S. states.
In a fiery post on his Truth Social platform on Tuesday, Trump declared a 50% tariff on steel and aluminum, citing retaliation against Canada’s 25% surcharge on electricity sent to Michigan, New York, and Minnesota.
The new tariffs come as a direct response to Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s threat to “shut off” the electricity supply to parts of the U.S. if America continues to raise trade tensions.
Ford, a conservative leader, announced the tariff on Monday, adding to the ongoing economic standoff between the two nations.
Trump didn’t mince words in his post, warning that if Canada doesn’t lift the tariffs, he will impose additional taxes on the Canadian car industry, which could have disastrous consequences for the country’s automobile manufacturing sector.
He said these taxes would “permanently shut down” Canada’s car industry.
In a more provocative tone, the President also reiterated his longstanding view that Canada should become part of the U.S., calling it “the 51st state.”
READ ALSO: Elon Musk Reveals Cyberattack on X Originated in Ukraine
He argued that integrating Canada into the United States would make tariffs, as well as many other trade-related issues, disappear.
“If Canada were part of the United States, there would be no tariffs and no problems,” Trump said. “Canada relies on us for military protection, and now they want to play these games with our electricity supply?”
The electricity dispute, which affects several states in the Northeast, highlights the fragility of U.S.-Canada trade relations. Trump warned that Canada would face “a financial price” so high, it would go down in history books.
This escalating feud raises concerns over the future of trade between the two nations and could lead to even more aggressive measures if tensions are not defused soon.
