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From NBC News: Ontario Premier Doug Ford said he had agreed to suspend a 25% surcharge on electricity imports into the U.S. after conversing with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick in the wake of President Donald Trump’s threats to hike steel and aluminum tariffs on the nation by 50%.
In a statement issued with Lutnick and posted on X, Ford said he and Lutnick would now be meeting Thursday alongside the United States Trade Representative to discuss a renewal of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada free trade act ahead of Trump’s self-imposed April 2 “reciprocal tariff deadline.”
“In response, Ontario agreed to suspend its 25 per cent surcharge on exports of electricity to Michigan, New York and Minnesota,” Ford said.
In subsequent remarks at the White House Tuesday afternoon, Trump said he was now looking at reducing tariffs on Canada. Asked if he would lower them, he said “probably so.”
“I’ve agreed to suspend, temporarily… [the electricity surcharge,]” Ford announced Tuesday.
He said the U.S. and Canada have both agreed that the temperature needs to come down, and announced that he will be going to the U.S. to discuss the matter.
He thanked Secretary Howard Lutnick for “reaching out with an olive branch.”
“Every negotiation starts by sitting at the table,” he said.
WATCH BELOW:
U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick wrote on X, “President Trump’s Truth this morning made clear our position on Ontario’s energy tax. I’m glad they listened.”
Ford released the following statement on Facebook:
Please see a joint statement from United States Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and myself:
Today, United States Secretary of Commerce @howardlutnick and Premier of Ontario Doug Ford had a productive conversation about the economic relationship between the United States and Canada.
Secretary Lutnick agreed to officially meet with Premier Ford in Washington on Thursday, March 13 alongside the United States Trade Representative to discuss a renewed USMCA ahead of the April 2 reciprocal tariff deadline. In response, Ontario agreed to suspend its 25 per cent surcharge on exports of electricity to Michigan, New York and Minnesota.
President Trump wrote earlier on Tuesday, “Why would our Country allow another Country to supply us with electricity, even for a small area? Who made these decisions, and why? And can you imagine Canada stooping so low as to use ELECTRICITY, that so affects the life of innocent people, as a bargaining chip and threat? They will pay a financial price for this so big that it will be read about in History Books for many years to come!”
BREAKING: Trump slaps Canada with additional tariffs, offers one solution
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