Trump threatens more auto tariffs over Doug Ford electricity levy

Donald Trump has promised a series of retaliatory tariffs in response to Ontario’s own levies against the U.S., including one that he says will “permanently” shut down Canadian auto manufacturing.

On his Truth Social platform, the U.S. president blasted the Doug Ford government’s 25 percent levy on electricity going into his country, saying he will declare a “national emergency” in affected areas. In response, he says the U.S. will raise its tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum by 25 percent to 50 percent, effective March 12. Canada is the U.S.’ largest supplier of aluminum, providing almost 60 percent of the amount imported.

NEW: U.S. President Donald Trump vows to double tariffs on Canadian aluminum and steel to 50% in retaliation for Ontario imposing a surcharge on electricity exports, beginning tomorrow morning. Says he will also declare national emergency on electricity in affected area

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— Andrea Woo (@andreawoo.bsky.social) March 11, 2025 at 10:52 AM

On top of all that, Trump promised to “substantially increase” tariffs on Canadian cars going into the U.S. on April 2 if “other, egregious, longtime [Canadian] tariffs” on the U.S. are not dropped. He says this “will, essentially, permanently shut down the automobile manufacturing business in Canada.” Trump also reiterated previous comments that the U.S. is “subsidizing Canada to the tune of more than 200 Billion Dollars a year.”

He concluded his usual belligerent and randomly caps-filled rant by saying that “the only thing that makes sense is for Canada to become our cherished Fifty First State.” He says this would make all of the tariffs “totally disappear.”

“The artificial line of separation drawn many years ago will finally disappear, and we will have the safest and most beautiful Nation anywhere in the World,” he wrote.

Last week, the trade war between Canada and the U.S. was about to begin in earnest until Trump agreed to a 30-day pause on products covered by the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). These tariffs are set to resume on April 2.

Former Bank of Canada governor and prime minister-designate Mark Carney said earlier this week that he will fight against Trump’s “unjustified” tariffs and that Canada “never, ever will be part of America in any way, shape or form.”

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