Trump imposes additional 25 pct tariffs on steel, aluminum from Canada

WASHINGTON -- US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he will impose an additional 25 percent tariff on steel and aluminum from Canada, raising the total tariff to 50 percent, in response to tariffs on electricity exports from the Canadian province of Ontario.

"Based on Ontario, Canada, placing a 25 percent Tariff on Electricity coming into the United States, I have instructed my Secretary of Commerce to add an ADDITIONAL 25 percent Tariff, to 50 percent, on all STEEL and ALUMINUM COMING INTO THE UNITED STATES FROM CANADA, ONE OF THE HIGHEST TARIFFING NATIONS ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD," Trump said in a post on social media Truth Social.

"This will go into effect TOMORROW MORNING, March 12th," Trump said.

On Feb 10, Trump signed proclamations to raise tariffs on aluminum from 10 percent to 25 percent, aligning them with the existing tariff rate for steel. He also decided to eliminate duty-free quotas, exemptions, and exclusions for steel and aluminum tariffs. These measures are set to take effect on March 12.

Trump's latest announcement to double tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum imports to 50 percent represents a significant increase.

Previously, Trump announced the imposition of a broad 25 percent tariff on Canada and Mexico, which took effect on March 4. However, just two days later, Trump reversed his position and adjusted the tariff measures, exempting goods that meet the "United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement" (USMCA) preferential conditions from the tariffs, effective until April 2.

According to NBC News, a senior US government official estimated that about 38 percent of goods imported from Canada to the United States qualify for the exemption.

In retaliation to the broad tariffs on Canadian goods, Canada's Ontario government on Monday officially applied a 25 percent surcharge on all electricity exports to three US states: Michigan, Minnesota and New York.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford said that he will not hesitate to increase the charge or even shut off energy exports entirely should the trade war persist.

In his latest announcement, Trump also urged Canada to "immediately drop their Anti-American Farmer Tariff" on various US dairy products, which has "long been considered outrageous."

"If other egregious, long time Tariffs are not likewise dropped by Canada, I will substantially increase, on April 2nd, the Tariffs on Cars coming into the US," Trump added.

In addition, Trump reiterated his statement that Canada should become the "51st state" of the United States.

The newly elected leader of Canada's ruling Liberal Party, Mark Carney, will succeed the current Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as the prime minister of Canada. In his victory speech, Carney stated that his government would maintain retaliatory tariffs against the United States until "the Americans show us respect."

In response to the US president' repeated claims that Canada should become the "51st state" of the United States, Carney said, "Canada will never, ever ... be a part of America in any way, shape or form."