Trump Doubles Tariffs on Canada, Insists It Will Become America’s 51st State for Threatening to ‘Shut Off’ U.S. Electricity Supply

In a dramatic escalation of trade tensions, U.S. President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that tariffs on Canadian aluminum and steel will double, following a retaliatory electricity surcharge imposed by Ontario. The move raises the existing tariffs from 25% to 50%, and will take effect Wednesday, according to a statement posted on Trump’s Truth Social account.

The former president said the action comes in response to Ontario’s newly imposed 25% tariff on electricity exports to U.S. states including Michigan, New York, and Minnesota. Trump accused Canada of using energy as a weapon and warned that if the tariffs are not lifted, further penalties could be imposed—specifically targeting Canada’s automobile industry, which he claimed would be “permanently shut down” if the U.S. hikes taxes on car imports.

Trump further declared he would soon issue a national emergency over electricity in affected States, and questioned the rationale behind American reliance on Canadian power. In a follow-up post, he condemned Canada for “using electricity as a bargaining chip,” and warned the country would face a “financial price” that would be remembered in history books.

Trump also revisited an idea he has floated in the past—that Canada should become the 51st state. He argued that such a move would eliminate tariffs and other trade disputes, and noted Canada’s military dependence on the U.S. as justification for closer political integration.

The conflict intensified after Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced the electricity tariff Monday, citing previous American trade actions as justification. Ford also threatened to cut off electricity exports entirely if the U.S. continues to escalate.