Ontario Premier Doug Ford is steaming ahead with his pledge to impose 25 percent tariffs on electricity sent to the United States starting Monday, despite President Donald Trump’s decision to suspend most tariffs on Mexico and Canada Thursday afternoon.
The move is an escalation of the trade tensions between the two countries after Trump has repeatedly threatened and withdrawn tariffs against Canada, which is the U.S.’ biggest energy trading partner.
“We’re going to put a 25 percent tariff on electricity coming from Ontario to Michigan, New York and Minnesota,” Ford said to Fox Business Network in response to a question on whether he had changed his mind about imposing the tariff in light of Trump’s shift. “And isn’t this a shame? It’s an absolute mess he’s created.”
Officials in affected states say the move could raise costs and threaten grid stability for the 1.5 million customers across Minnesota, Michigan and New York who receive power from the province.
