Ontario slaps 25% levy on U.S.-bound electricity in retaliation to Trump’s tariffs
Ontario is imposing a 25 per cent surcharge on all U.S.-bound electricity, as part of its retaliatory measures against U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Canadian goods.
Premier Doug Ford and Energy Minister Stephen Lecce detailed the new levy at a news conference Monday morning. You can watch it live in the player above.
Ontario provides electricity to roughly 1.5 million customers in the northern border states of New York, Michigan and Minnesota.
The revenues will be collected on a monthly basis by the province’s electricity system operator.
“President Trump’s tariffs are a disaster for the U.S. economy. They’re making life more expensive for American families and businesses,” Ford said in an accompanying statement.
“Until the threat of tariffs is gone for good, Ontario won’t back down.”
Ford added the surcharge could be ramped up if the Trump administration further escalates its trade war.
Last week, Trump temporarily paused implementation of 25 per cent tariffs on Canadians exports “compliant” with the terms of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) until April 2. But both Ford and Ottawa have said retaliatory measures will move ahead until the tariffs are lifted.
“For decades, Ontario has powered American homes, factories, offices and jobs, and we will not stand by as our vital electricity exports are taken for granted,” Lecce said in the statement.
The federal government has imposed its own 25 per cent tariffs on up to $155-billion worth of exports going to the U.S.
Source: CBC
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