Trump Doubles Tariffs On Canadian Steel & Aluminum Imports, Harps On '51st US State' Taunt

Last Updated:March 11, 2025, 22:56 IST

Trump's latest announcement came after Ontario Premier Doug Ford slapped 25% additional tariffs for electricity to 1.5 million Americans in response to his trade war.

US president Donald Trump

In a significant escalation to a lingering trade war with Canada, US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said he has instructed his Commerce Secretary to impose double tariffs on all Canadian imports to 50%. His response came after Ontario slapped a 25% tariff on electricity provided to the US.

“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, 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 said on his Truth Social platform.

The tariff will come into effect on Wednesday (March 12), marking an immediate end to the temporary pause in tariffs Trump had announced earlier on Canadian goods. Trump’s trade war against Washington’s three biggest trading partners – Canada, Mexico and China, has drawn immediate retaliation and wreaked havoc on financial markets.

“This will allow the US to quickly do what has to be done to alleviate this abusive threat from Canada," he added. He also threatened to “substantially increase" tariffs on cars coming into the United States on April 2 “if other egregious, long time Tariffs are not likewise dropped by Canada."

Canada’s PM-Designate Mark Carney reacted strongly to Trump’s new statement. “President Trump’s latest tariffs are an attack on Canadian workers, families, and businesses. My government will ensure our response has maximum impact in the US and minimal impact here in Canada, while supporting the workers impacted," he said on X.

Carney said the Canadian tariffs will be kept in place until the “Americans show us respect and make credible, reliable commitments to free and fair trade".

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US-Canada Trade War

Since taking office, Trump has threatened Canada with tariffs and has promised to make it the “51st US State", mockingly referring to former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as ‘Governor’ Trudeau. His remarks have infuriated Canadians, who are booing the American anthem at NHL and NBA games.

After Trump’s initial announcement of tariffs, Canada announced retaliatory tariffs of C$30 billion worth of imports, while an additional C$125 billion in tariffs were put on hold after Trump paused his 25% tariffs last week after stock markets tumbled.

This trade war has brought US-Canada relations to an all-time low. In his farewell speech, Trudeau warned that Canada faces an “existential challenge" from the United States.

Canada is also the largest foreign supplier of steel, aluminum and uranium to the U.S. and has 34 critical minerals and metals that the Pentagon is eager for and investing for national security. Nearly CA$3.6 billion ($2.7 billion) worth of goods and services cross the border each day.

Trump Reiterates ’51st State’ Warning

He also remarked that Canada pays very little for national security and relies on the US for military protection. Trump also reiterated his demand to make Canada the 51st US State, and he would remove all tariffs if this is achieved.

“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," he said in his post.

He continued, “The artificial line of separation drawn many years ago will finally disappear, and we will have the safest and most beautiful Nation anywhere in the World — And your brilliant anthem, “O Canada," will continue to play, but now representing a GREAT and POWERFUL STATE within the greatest Nation that the World has ever seen!"

‘Canada Will Never Be Part Of America’

Mark Carney, who replaced Trudeau as the Liberal Party leader, said he would never allow Canada to be “part of America in any way." Regarding Trump’s tariff threats, Carney stated that Canada’s retaliatory measures would remain in effect until the US makes a credible commitment to free and fair trade.

Describing America as a country “we can no longer trust" as it has brought dark days on Canada, he said, “We are getting over the shock but let us never forget the lessons, we have to look after ourselves and to look out for each other. We need to pull together in the tough days ahead."

Reacting to US President Donald Trump’s repeated wish to make Canada the 51st state of the United States, Carney said, “America is not Canada. Canada will never ever be part of America in any way, shape or form."

(with inputs from agencies)

Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

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