President Donald Trump announced retaliatory tariffs against Canada on Tuesday, saying he will double the tariffs imposed on steel and aluminum by an additional 25%, bringing the total duties to 50%.
Trump said in a Truth Social post on Tuesday morning: “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 .. This will go into effect TOMORROW MORNING, March 12th”
The President also called on Canada to drop tariffs on various U.S. dairy products, and said he will be declaring a “national emergency on electricity” in the areas affected by Canada’s electricity surcharge. New York, Minnesota and Michigan, which border Canada, were targeted by Ontario’s surcharge. Ontario Premier Doug Ford warned after Trump’s announcement that Canada would shut off its supply of electricity to the United States if the trade war continues to escalate.
According to CNBC, Canada is the largest exporter of steel and aluminum to the United States. It exported 6.6 million net tons of steel and 3.5 million tons of aluminum to the United States in 2024. Brazil exported 4.5 million tons of steel to the United States.
Meanwhile, newly appointed Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney called Trump’s threats “an attack on Canadian workers, families, and businesses. My government will ensure our response has maximum impact in the U.S. and minimal impact here in Canada, while supporting the workers impacted.” Carney said Canadian tariffs on U.S. goods would remain in place “until the Americans show us respect and make credible, reliable commitments to free and fair trade.”
Editorial credit: Andy.LIU / Shutterstock.com