Ontario Construction News staff writer
Ontario Premier Doug Ford says he will “respond appropriately” to U.S. President Donald Trump’s latest tariff escalation.
Ford was speaking in an interview on MSNBC today, moments after Trump said he would double an imminent tariff on steel and aluminum from Canada in response to Ontario placing a surcharge on electricity it sends to three U.S. states.
Ontario enacted Monday the surcharge of 25 per cent on electricity exported to 1.5 million homes in New York, Michigan and Minnesota, and Ford said he could raise that amount even higher in response to further American escalation.
Trump posted on social media this morning that in response he would tariff Canadian steel and aluminum at 50 per cent, instead of the 25 per cent that was set to go into effect tomorrow.
Ford did not give an indication in the MSNBC interview of what he is considering for his response in turn, but he has previously threatened to cut off the supply of electricity to the three states.
Ford has previously said that Ontario’s retaliatory measures – also including removing American alcohol from Liquor Control Board of Ontario shelves and banning American companies from government procurement contracts – would stay in place until all U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods are removed.
New federal Liberal Leader Mark Carney addressed the trade dispute in his first speech after winning the leadership contest on Sunday, calling the U.S. “a country we can no longer trust.”
“We didn’t ask for this fight, but Canadians are always ready when someone else drops the gloves,” Carney said. “So, the Americans, they should make no mistake, in trade, as in hockey, Canada will win.”
Accusing Trump of trying to weaken the Canadian economy with “unjustified tariffs” Carney warned of “dark days” brought on by the U.S. move.
“He’s attacking Canadian families, workers and businesses and we cannot let him succeed,” he said.
Carney is expected to be sworn in as Canada’s next prime minister later this week.
