U.S. President Donald Trump has unveiled plans for significant new tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from Canada following retaliatory actions by the United States’ neighbor.
In a detailed message posted to his Truth Social profile on Tuesday, Trump stated that this was a countermeasure to Ontario’s decision on Monday to impose a 25% surcharge on electricity exported to northern U.S. states.
Trump indicated that if Canada does not eliminate its tariffs, including those impacting agricultural goods, he would raise taxes on the automotive sector, “which will, essentially, permanently shut down the automobile manufacturing business in Canada.”
The tariff escalation, moving from 25% to 50%, will take effect starting Wednesday, according to Trump..
He also mentioned that Canada depends on the U.S. for “military protection” and restated his wish for Canada to become the 51st state of the U.S.
He elaborated that this “would make all tariffs, and everything else, totally disappear” should Canada unite with the U.S. as a state.
“Based on Ontario, Canada, placing a 25% Tariff on ‘Electricity’ coming into the United States, I have instructed my Secretary of Commerce to add an ADDITIONAL 25% Tariff, to 50%, on all STEEL and ALUMINUM COMING INTO THE UNITED STATES FROM CANADA, ONE OF THE HIGHEST TARIFFING NATIONS ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD,” Trump asserted.
“I will shortly be declaring a National Emergency on Electricity within the threatened area,” he further noted.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford implemented a 25% tariff on electricity sent to Michigan, New York, and Minnesota on Monday as a reaction to earlier tariffs introduced by Trump.
Ford, a conservative figure leading Canada’s most populous province, declared he is prepared to “shut the electricity off completely” if the U.S. persists in heightening the conflict.
Trump’s ire persisted in another post, where he cautioned that Canada would face an extraordinarily large “financial price” for its electricity tariff, pointing out that many northeastern states purchase additional power from Canada.
“Why would our Country allow another Country to supply us with electricity, even for a small area? 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 vented in his fury.
A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.
Nnamdi Okoli
