United States President Donald Trump labeled Canada a “tariff abuser” on Monday and asserted that the United States does not need Canadian energy, following Ontario’s decision to impose a 25 per cent surcharge on electricity exports to three U.S. states.
Ontario, Canada’s most populous province, announced earlier Monday that it would add the surcharge on electricity exports to Michigan, Minnesota, and New York, where it powers 1.5 million homes and businesses.
“Ontario just announced a 25% surcharge on ‘electricity,’ of all things,” Trump said, claiming the province was “not even allowed to do that.” He added on his Truth Social platform, “Canada is a Tariff abuser, and always has been, but the United States is not going to be subsidizing Canada any longer. We don’t need your Cars, we don’t need your Lumber, we don’t need your Energy, and very soon, you will find that out.”
Trump, who has pledged to launch “reciprocal” tariffs on all countries starting April 2 to address alleged trade imbalances, seemed to confirm his plans in the same post, writing, “Because our Tariffs are reciprocal, we’ll just get it all back on April 2.”
The U.S. President has repeatedly spoken about annexing Canada and has disrupted bilateral trade, a cornerstone of the Canadian economy, with fluctuating tariff actions since taking office. Last Tuesday, Trump allowed 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports to take effect before announcing some exemptions on Thursday. However, around 62 per cent of Canadian imports were still subject to the new levies, with energy resources facing a lower tariff of 10 percent. On Wednesday, Trump’s 25 percent tariffs on steel and aluminum imports are set to take effect, further impacting Canada.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford responded to the tariffs on Monday, stating, “Until the threat of tariffs is gone for good, Ontario will not relent.” He emphasized, “Pausing some tariffs, making last-minute exemptions — it won’t cut it. We need to end the chaos once and for all. We need to sit down, work together and land a fair deal.” Ford announced the 25 percent surcharge on electricity exports to Minnesota, Michigan, and New York, adding that the surcharge would increase residents’ bills in the three states by an average of $100 per month.
Ford warned, “Let me be clear: I will not hesitate to increase this charge. If necessary, if the United States escalates, I will not hesitate to shut the electricity off completely.”
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, the running mate of Democrat Kamala Harris, who lost the November election to Trump, criticized the move on X, stating, “Minnesotans struggling to pay their skyrocketing electric bill” were the “first victims of Trump’s trade war.” He added, “Minnesota cannot afford Trump’s billionaire-run economy. We have to put a stop to this madness.”
The escalating trade tensions between the U.S. and Canada have raised concerns about the economic impact on both nations, particularly on industries reliant on cross-border trade. Ontario’s surcharge and Trump’s reciprocal tariffs reflect the deepening rift in U.S.-Canada relations, with both sides vowing to stand firm in their positions.
