Update Ontario Backs down on charges - Ontario slaps 25% tariff on electricity | U.S.-Canada Trade War Intensifies | Trump Tariffs

11th March 2025

12 March 2025 Update = Ford, the conservative leader of Ontario, said on X he chose not to impose the surcharge on electricity exports to Michigan, New York and Minnesota after having a "productive conversation" about the economic relationship between Canada and the U.S. with Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick.

------------
Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced a 25% increase in electricity charges to 1.5 million U.S. homes and businesses, in response to U.S. President Donald Trump's trade war.

The new tariff applies to customers in Minnesota, New York, and Michigan. Ford warned that if the U.S. escalates the trade conflict, Ontario may completely cut off electricity supplies.

While expressing sympathy for Americans not responsible for the trade war, Ford blamed Trump for initiating the conflict.

Despite a temporary one-month reprieve from Trump, Ford stated the tariff would remain, dismissing the pause as creating more uncertainty.

Quebec is also considering similar actions regarding electricity exports to the U.S. This move is part of broader retaliation by Canada, which has imposed $30 billion CAD worth of tariffs on U.S. products.

Ford emphasized that Ontario will not back down until all tariffs are lifted and the threat of new tariffs is removed.