WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump says new tariffs on some Canadian goods will go into effect on Wednesday.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump says the tariff on all steel and aluminum coming into the U.S. from Canada will be increased to 50 percent. The president says this is in response to Ontario Premier Doug Ford announcing a 25 percent surcharge on electricity exports to Minnesota, Michigan and New York.
Ford warned he would shut the power off completely if the U.S. chooses to escalate.
“The actions by the U.S. federal government on tariffs are placing Minnesota residents and businesses in the crossfire of trade wars. Because of Minnesota’s high dependence on Canadian sources of energy, tariffs on energy resources will disproportionately affect Minnesotans in their pocketbooks. Many of our businesses depend on trade with Canada, including the energy sector. Tariffs, whether they are a threat or actual tax on energy, make the energy everyday Minnesotans rely on unstable and uncertain,” the Minnesota Commerce Department said in a statement.
Trump says he will declare a national emergency on electricity within the threatened area which he says will allow the U.S. “to quickly do what has to be done.”
