Trump Turns Up the Heat: Tariffs on Canada Set to Double

Washington — President Trump is at it again, announcing a fresh round of tariffs that will leave Canada feeling the pinch. Starting Wednesday, he plans to double the levy on all steel and aluminum imports from his northern neighbor to a staggering 50%. Because, of course, when you think of international diplomacy, you think of tariffs.

The president justified this latest move as retaliation against Ontario’s decision to impose a 25% surcharge on electricity exports to the U.S. As if that wasn’t enough, he already slapped a 25% tariff on nearly all imports from Canada and instituted a similar rate for steel and aluminum from any foreign country. Apparently, consistency is key—just not in trade relations.

“Based on Ontario, Canada, placing a 25% Tariff on ‘Electricity’ coming into the United States, I have instructed my Secretary of Commerce to add an ADDITIONAL 25% Tariff, bringing the total to 50%, on all STEEL and ALUMINUM COMING INTO THE UNITED STATES FROM CANADA, ONE OF THE HIGHEST TARIFFING NATIONS ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD,” Trump proclaimed on Truth Social, because nothing says “I’m in charge” quite like shouting about tariffs on social media.

As expected, the stock market took a nosedive on Tuesday, with investors reacting to the uncertainty surrounding the president’s tariff regime and growing fears of a potential recession. Who knew tariffs could have that kind of effect?

In his latest round of negotiations, Trump also urged Canada to eliminate tariffs on various U.S. dairy products. He plans to declare a “national emergency on electricity” in states like New York, Minnesota, and Michigan, which are being targeted by Ontario’s electricity surcharge. Because why not add a national emergency to the mix?

And in a stroke of genius, the president once again floated the idea of Canada becoming the United States’ 51st state. Clearly, this proposal is a big hit with Canadians, who seem to be less than enthusiastic about the prospect of losing their sovereignty in exchange for avoiding tariff pressure.

“The only thing that makes sense is for Canada to become our cherished Fifty First State,” Mr. Trump wrote. “This would make all Tariffs, and everything else, totally disappear. Canadians’ taxes will be very substantially reduced, they will be more secure, militarily and otherwise, than ever before, there would no longer be a Northern Border problem, and the greatest and most powerful nation in the World will be bigger, better and stronger than ever — and Canada will be a big part of that.”

So, as Trump doubles down on tariffs and dreams of statehood, one can only wonder what other surprises are in store for U.S.-Canada relations.