U.S. News
Canada’s Premier Apologizes to U.S. Following Threat to Raise Energy Prices
Clear Facts
- Ontario Premier Doug Ford apologized to Americans after initially imposing a 25% electricity surcharge on certain U.S. states.
- The surcharge was a response to President Trump’s tariffs on Canada, but Ford quickly rescinded it after realizing the potential harm to Canada’s energy sector.
- Ford’s decision to backtrack came after discussions with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, leading to a reversal of Trump’s planned tariff increase on Canadian steel and aluminum.
In a surprising turn of events, Ontario Premier Doug Ford has issued an apology to Americans following his brief imposition of a 25% electricity surcharge on states like New York, Michigan, and Minnesota. Initially, Ford had declared he would be “relentless” in enforcing the surcharge, which was a direct response to President Donald Trump’s aggressive tariffs on Canadian goods.
Ford’s initial move was seen as a retaliatory measure, but it quickly became evident that the surcharge would likely harm Canada’s energy industry more than it would impact the U.S. Despite the potential for affecting approximately 1.5 million American homes and businesses, Canada’s dependence on U.S. exports made the surcharge a risky endeavor.
“I want to apologize to the American people. I spent 20 years of my life in the US, in New Jersey, in Chicago. I love the American people,” Ford expressed during a radio show appearance. He further praised Secretary Lutnick and President Trump, acknowledging their business acumen and emphasizing the need to move forward in strengthening U.S.-Canada relations.
Initially, Ford had taken a much more combative stance. In response to Trump’s tariffs on steel and aluminum, Ford had stated, “We will not back down. We will be relentless. I apologize to the American people that President Trump decided to have an unprovoked attack on our country, on families, on jobs, and it’s unacceptable.”
However, after a productive conversation with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, Ford decided to retract the surcharge. This decision led to Trump reversing his plan to increase tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum to 50%. Ford is scheduled to meet with Lutnick in Washington, D.C., to further discuss the matter.
The stakes remain high as the April 2 deadline looms. If no agreement is reached, the tariffs could resume, potentially affecting Ontario’s significant electricity exports to the U.S., which amounted to about 12 terawatt hours in 2023. Ford had claimed that the surcharge could have added “$100 a month” to the electricity bills of Americans in the affected states.
The broader context of this issue is a heated trade debate between the U.S. and Canada, with Canada announcing additional retaliatory tariffs on American goods. This follows Trump’s earlier concessions from Canada, which included efforts to curb the illegal fentanyl trade in exchange for a temporary pause on a 25% general goods tariff.
President Trump has remained firm in his stance, stating on social media, “Canada is a tariff abuser, and always has been, but the United States is not going to be subsidizing Canada any longer.”
As the situation develops, the Ontario Premier’s office has yet to provide further comments on the matter.
Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.
harvey popp
March 13, 2025 at 6:44 am
We have been ripped off by almost ever country we do business with thats why our debt is so high. We sell them ours goods for a dollar and by their stuff for 5.00. Been like that for ever. Do not know why or how this got started. Just like protecting them from Iran or who ever, we tote the big gun and they hide behind us. Do not mind helping but its pasted time we level the playing field across the board.
EarnApp
March 15, 2025 at 4:32 pm
They deliver me 100-120$ an hour to complete on an laptop. I sincerely didn’t suppose it turned into possible, however my relied on buddy made $26,000 in only 4 weeks operating in this {cr-02} easy opportunity and she or he encouraged me to present it a try.
.
CLICK ON MY PROFILE
John
March 13, 2025 at 8:54 am
It took place for decades because our congress was to busy stealing our tax dollars and becoming millionaires. The truth is now exposed thru doge and the corruption of unsaid money laundering. How did nazi Nancy become rich with a wealth of 200 million dollars, on a 200,000 dollar a year salary. Chuck schumer-75 million. Lie-a-watha warren- 47 million.
IlligitimateBiden
March 13, 2025 at 1:36 pm
It only hurts the Blue states, Minnesota, NY and Michigan so who cares!!🤣🤣😂😂
Mark Steckloff
March 14, 2025 at 1:47 am
What a cold, unpatriotic comment! They’re all AMERICAN states populated by AMERICANS.
And a very uninformed comment — Michigan voted for Trump. Twice.
Katherine DeBoer
March 19, 2025 at 5:20 am
There are many who live in those blue states that voted for Trump, me being one of them.
Maxx
March 13, 2025 at 9:33 am
Justin Trudeau chose to resign as PM solely as a political game. The next Canadian election is October 25, 2025 when a new PM will be chosen. But Trudeau decided to basically make Mark Carney (acting) PM now for one reason. He wants Carney to have the “benefit of incumbency”for the election in October. Carney got there by being chosen to lead the Liberal Party sort of fudging the system. The leader of the Conservative Party is Pierre Poilievre. A very popular politician. He is called Canadas Trump because he is very much like Trump. The Canadian people that live in the western provinces are 90% conservative and hate Trudeau, remembering how he treated the members of the Truckers Protest that he mercilessly destroyed. Hopefully, on October 25th these conservatives will elect Poilievre as the real new PM of Canada and make Canada free again.
D. Elwood
March 13, 2025 at 3:12 pm
Well, America has been screwed ,blewed, and tattooed for a long time. We finally have a PATRIOT in the White House with the testicular fortitude to
lead this nation back to greatness. Canada and Mexico are holding 6’s and 7’s in Trumps card game. The Man is holding all of the ACES. Let the games begin !!AN
MAGA
Bill Hampyon
March 19, 2025 at 7:09 am
Amen ~~~~ D. Elwood !!