• 25% Surcharge
• Ontario
• Trade war
• US

ONTARIO RETALIATES AGAINST US TRADE WAR WITH 25% ELECTRICITY SURCHARGE

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  CapitalTimesNews / 4 hours
• 0
• 2 min read

In response to US President Donald Trump’s trade war, Ontario Premier Doug Ford has announced a 25% surcharge on electricity exports to the US, effective Monday. The move is expected to generate revenue of $300,000 to $400,000 per day, which will be used to support Ontario workers, families, and businesses. “I will not hesitate to increase this charge. If the United States escalates, I will not hesitate to shut the electricity off completely,” Ford said at a news conference in Toronto. “Believe me when I say I do not want to do this. I feel terrible for the American people who didn’t start this trade war. It’s one person who is responsible, it’s President Trump.” The surcharge will affect 1.5 million Americans in Minnesota, New York, and Michigan, who receive electricity from Ontario. Ford estimated that the surcharge will add around $69 per month to the bills of each American affected. “It needs to end. Until these tariffs are off the table, until the threat of tariffs is gone for good, Ontario will not relent,” Ford said. “I will do whatever it takes to maximize the pain against Americans,” he added, noting that Trump’s trade war is also threatening Canada’s steel, aluminum, and dairy industries. Quebec is also considering similar measures with electricity exports to the US. The move is part of Canada’s retaliation against Trump’s trade war, which has imposed tariffs on Canadian goods such as orange juice, peanut butter, and coffee.