Three U.S. states set to pay more for electricity as Canada refuses to suspend tariffs amid trade tensions with Trump
Three U.S. states are bracing for higher electricity costs after Canada decided not to follow President Donald Trump’s lead and halt its tariffs.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford, who has consistently criticized Trump and his administration’s approach toward Canada, confirmed that he will impose a 25 percent tariff on electricity exports to the U.S. starting Monday.
When asked if he had reconsidered his decision after Trump’s abrupt reversal, Ford responded, “Canadians love Americans. I love Americans. It’s been 20 years of my life. But in saying that, no, we’re going to put a 25 percent tariff on electricity coming from Ontario to Michigan, New York, and Minnesota.”
This move came as Trump announced a one-month delay on tariffs from Canada and Mexico after a week of fluctuating decisions from the newly installed president.
“Isn’t this a shame? It’s an absolute mess,” Ford remarked about the situation. “He’s created chaos. He ran on a mandate to lower costs, lower inflation, create more jobs. It’s the total opposite; people are going to be losing their jobs in the U.S. and in Canada.”
The only thing that’s certain today is more uncertainty. A pause on some tariffs means nothing. Until President Trump removes the threat of tariffs for good, we will be relentless. pic.twitter.com/FuHGPWoHmh
— Doug Ford (@fordnation) March 6, 2025
Earlier, Ford had urged Trump on CNN to drop the tariffs entirely and “end this.” However, before Trump’s suspension, Ford had made it clear that Canadian tariffs would proceed. “We have to follow through,” he told Global News.
Canada is the U.S.’s largest energy trading partner. According to Ford, 1.5 million people across Minnesota, Michigan, and New York will be impacted, facing higher costs and a less reliable electricity grid.
“The market is going downhill quicker than the American bobsled team right now, and it’s unacceptable,” Ford added during his Fox appearance.
“The situation he has put American families in, Canadian families, and people around the world, it’s just going to hurt,” Ford concluded.
