Donald Trump doubles down on tariffs; President's aggressive new tariffs could plunge three U.S states into darkness as Canada threatens power cuts

US President Donald Trump has threatened to place higher tariffs on Canadian products beginning April 2, 2025, as the trade war between both countries has started escalating, as per a report.

Trump's threat came after Ontario Premier Doug Ford retaliated against the US by imposing 25% tariffs on three American states—Michigan, New York, and Minnesota, and Ford also threatened to "shut the electricity off completely if America continues to escalate," Daily Mail reported.

Tariffs Battle

Trump mocked Ford's tariff on electricity in a recent Truth Social post, threatening that his own tariffs, set to take effect on April 2, would neutralize any Canadian retaliation, according to Daily Mail.


He wrote that "Despite the fact that Canada is charging the USA from 250% to 390% Tariffs on many of our farm products, Ontario just announced a 25% surcharge on 'electricity,' of all things, and you're not even allowed to do that," as quoted by Daily Mail.

Trump also claimed that "Canada is a Tariff abuser, and always has been, but the United States is not going to be subsidizing Canada any longer. We don't need your Cars, we don't need your Lumber, we don't your Energy, and very soon, you will find that out," as quoted by Daily Mail.

According to reports, as the latest tariffs become effective next month, analysts see serious economic impacts on both nations. Ford is adamant that such tensions are unlikely to ease up unless Trump abandons his threat to add even more tariffs

Ford declared on an X post (formerly Twitter) that, "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," as quoted by Daily Mail.

Ford's 25% electricity tariff will result in higher energy costs for about 1.5 million Americans in the three states, Daily Mail reported.

A Spiraling Trade War

The trade war has continued with Trump's personal attacks on Canada's outgoing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as per the report. Trump accused Trudeau of trying to remain in power using the tariff war, Daily Mail reported.

The US president wrote on his Truth Social post that, "Justin Trudeau, of Canada, called me to ask what could be done about Tariffs. I told him that many people have died from Fentanyl that came through the Borders of Canada and Mexico, and nothing has convinced me that it has stopped," as quoted by Daily Mail.

In his social media post, Trump wrote that, "He said that it’s gotten better, but I said, That’s not good enough," as per the report. According to Daily Mail, Trump claimed that the call ended in a "somewhat friendly manner" but blamed Trudeau for using the tariffs war to "stay in power."

FAQs

Why is Ontario Premier Doug Ford imposing tariffs on US electricity?
In response to Trump’s tariff threats, Ford has decided to impose a 25% tariff on electricity supplied from Ontario to Michigan, New York, and Minnesota. He warned he may cut off power entirely if tensions escalate further.

What did Trump say about Trudeau?
Trump accused Justin Trudeau of using the ongoing tariff war to stay in power.