In a dramatic escalation of U.S.-Canada trade tensions, Donald Trump has launched a blistering attack on Canada, branding it a “tariff abuser”after Ontario imposed a 25% electricity surcharge on three U.S. states.
The surcharge, announced by Ontario Premier Doug Ford will drive up power costs in Michigan, Minnesota, and New York, where 1.5 million homes and businesses rely on Ontario’s power grid. Ford justified the move as retaliation against Trump’s aggressive trade policies, declaring that Ontario “will not relent” until the U.S. removes tariffs on Canadian exports.
Trump erupted in response, taking to Truth Social to denounce the surcharge as unlawful and warning that the U.S. does not need Canada’s energy, cars, or lumber.
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 declared, vowing that new tariffs set to take effect on April 2 will get it all back.
But Ford is not backing down. He warned that Ontario **could raise the surcharge even higher—or cut off power entirely—if the U.S. escalates its tariffs.
If necessary, if the United States escalates, I will not hesitate to shut the electricity off completely,Ford threatened, raising fears of widespread energy disruptions in affected states.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz a Democrat and former running mate of Vice President Kamala Harris blasted Trump’s trade war, blaming it for skyrocketing energy costs.
Minnesotans struggling to pay their skyrocketing electric bill are the first victims of Trump’s trade war, Walz posted on X. *”We have to put a stop to this madness.
With Trump doubling down on tariffs and Ontario threatening to pull the plug the standoff risks igniting a full-blown trade war that could leave U.S. consumers paying the price.
Will Canada cave to Trump’s pressure—or will Ontario follow through on its threat to cut the power?
