President's Threat of Increased Tariffs Aligns with Canadian Electric Exports Negotiations
On Tuesday morning, former President
Donald Trump announced that he would impose a 50% tariff on steel and aluminum imports from Canada.
However, this assertion lasted only a few hours.
Following the announcement from Ontario, Canada, which indicated that there would not be an additional 25% surcharge on electricity exports to the United States, Trump backtracked on his proposal.
Initially, Trump threatened to implement the higher tariffs beginning Wednesday, alongside additional tariffs as justification for what he described as various barriers placed by Canada on U.S. trade.
In a post, Trump indicated that starting on April 2, the tariffs would be set at a level that could severely impact the Canadian automotive industry.
He also revisited the idea of Canada benefiting from being the 51st state of the U.S., suggesting it would lead to the elimination of tariffs, lower taxes, and enhanced military cooperation.
In response to the initial tariff announcement, Ontario Premier Doug Ford communicated through social media that he would meet with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on Thursday, and in the interim, intended to suspend the electricity tariff.
Reacting to these developments, the White House issued a statement clarifying that they would adhere to the original plan, maintaining a 25% tariff on Canadian steel and aluminum products, effective March 12.