(IMAGN) Doug Ford, premier of Ontario, talks to a media member during the Detroit auto show in Detroit on Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023.
TORONTO — Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced Friday that the province will impose a 25% surcharge on electricity exports to the United States, affecting 1.5 million American consumers. The measure, set to take effect Monday, is Ontario’s response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s escalating trade war.
Ontario, Canada’s most populous province, supplies electricity to Minnesota, New York, and Michigan. At a press conference in Toronto, Ford made it clear that he is prepared to take further action if the situation worsens.
“I will not hesitate to increase this charge. If the United States escalates, I will not hesitate to shut the electricity off completely,” Ford said.
The premier blamed Trump directly for the situation, saying he sympathized with American consumers who will bear the brunt of the price hike.
“Believe me when I say I do not want to do this. I feel terrible for the American people who didn’t start this trade war. It’s one person who is responsible, it’s President Trump,” Ford stated.
The Ontario government estimates the surcharge will generate between 300,000 and 400,000 Canadian dollars ($208,000 to $277,000) per day. The revenue will be used to support Ontario workers, families, and businesses, according to Ford’s office.
The new electricity charge is in addition to the Canadian federal government’s existing CA$30 billion ($21 billion) worth of retaliatory tariffs on U.S. products, including orange juice, peanut butter, coffee, appliances, footwear, and paper products.
Trump initiated the trade conflict last week by imposing new tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China, leading to swift retaliation from all three countries and turmoil in financial markets. He later announced a one-month delay on certain tariffs against Canada and Mexico, but Ford dismissed the pause as meaningless.
Ford estimated the surcharge will add about CA$100 ($69) per month to the electricity bills of affected American consumers.
“It needs to end. Until these tariffs are off the table, until the threat of tariffs is gone for good, Ontario will not relent,” Ford said.
The premier also criticized U.S. Republicans for not opposing Trump’s trade policies more forcefully.
“Republicans, at least the ones I speak to, do not agree with President Trump, but they are too scared to go out there and say it publicly,” Ford said. “It’s a shame, but we need to end this.”
Ford warned that if Trump continues to impose tariffs on Canada, Ontario will take additional steps to increase economic pressure.
“Trump changes his mind every day, but if he continues to attack Canada, we will do everything it takes to maximize the pain,” he said.
The Ontario government has not specified what further actions it may take but has not ruled out additional measures if tensions escalate.
