Back And Forth Between US and Canada Over Tariffs Continues

Yesterday, Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced a 25 per cent surcharge on all U.S.-bound electricity, in response to Donald Trump’s tariffs on Canadian goods. Trump responded last night on his social media saying the Canadian tariffs “aren’t even allowed.” This morning, Trump ordered a doubling of the tariff on Canadian steel and aluminum to 50% in response to the new tax on electricity supplied to three U.S. states. About an hour after that announcement, Ford told MSNBC, “We will not back down. We will be relentless.” “I apologize to the American people that President Trump decided to have an unprovoked attack on our country, on families, on jobs,” he added. “It’s unacceptable.” But wait…there’s more! This afternoon, Ford hit pause on the 25% surcharge on exports of electricity to some U.S. states after he and U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick had a “productive conversation about the economic relationship between the United States and Canada.” Ford says Lutnick agreed to not go ahead with today’s additional 25% tariff. So much for “not backing down.”

After Canadians stood firm, Secretary Lutnick today extended an olive branch. I’m going to work with him in good faith toward a free trade deal that’s fair for both countries. pic.twitter.com/sxu9Qaua4b

— Doug Ford (@fordnation) March 11, 2025