Trump Raises Canadian Steel, Aluminum Tariffs to 50% Effective March 12, Threatens National Emergency Over Ontario's Electricity Surcharge

President Donald Trump has announced plans to increase tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum from 25% to 50%, effective March 12, in retaliation for Ontario's imposition of a 25% surcharge on electricity exports to the United States. The decision was communicated via a post on Truth Social, where Trump criticized Canada as one of the highest tariffing nations globally. The move comes after Ontario, Canada's most populous province, decided to charge an additional 25% on electricity supplied to 1.5 million American homes and businesses in Michigan, New York, and Minnesota. This action was in response to ongoing trade tensions between the U.S. and Canada. Ontario Premier Doug Ford had previously threatened to shut off electricity completely if the U.S. escalated its actions. Trump also threatened to declare a national emergency on electricity in the affected areas, allowing the U.S. to address what he described as an 'abusive threat' from Canada. Additionally, he warned of potential further increases in tariffs on Canadian auto imports set for April 2 if Canada does not remove other existing tariffs, including what Trump referred to as the 'Anti-American Farmer Tariff' on U.S. dairy products. Trump also suggested that Canada should become the 'Fifty First State' to eliminate all tariffs.