Ontario slaps 25% fee on electricity exports to US
By: Kinsey Crowley
USA Today
..... Ontario started a 25% surcharge Monday [03/10/2025] for the electricity it exports to three U.S. states.
.....
Premier Doug Ford, head of the Canadian province, has been an outspoken critic of President Donald Trump;s tariffs on imports from Canada, saying he would restrict the electricity exports to Minnesota, Michigan and New York if the tariffs continue.
..... In a press conference Monday, [03/10/2025] Ford said they were moving forward with a 25% export fee on electricity for 1.5 million homes and businesses - and may increase it or cut it off depending on Trump's actions.
..... Ford estimated that, on average, it would add $100 to monthly electricity bills for impacted Americans.
.... "Believe me when I say I do not want to do this, I feel terrible for the American people who started this trade war," Ford said
at the press conference. "It's one person who's responsible. that's President Trump.
..... Trump announced in February [2025] he would impose tariffs on imports from America's top trading partners - China, Mexico and Canada - in an effort in persuade them to help secure the border and stop the flow of illegal drugs into the country. After talks with leaders in Mexico and Canada ahead of the initial February state date, Trump delayed those 25% tariffs for a month.
..... But Trump announce time was up o March 3, [2025] and the tariffs went into effect overnight. Stock markets slipped, Canada ordered reciprocal tariffs, and by Thursday, [03/06/2025] Trump gave another 30-day extension to goods covered under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, a trade deal he negotiated during his first term as president. The extension applies to approximately 38% of imports form Canada and is set to expire April 2. [2025]
..... Canadian energy and a fertilizer ingredient, potash, will face a lower rate of 10%.
..... But by Friday, [03/07/2025] Trump seemed posed to impose additional reciprocal tariffs on Canadian lumber and dairy. Speaking on the Oval Office, he said they could be ordered as soon as Monday [03/10/2025] or Tuesday, [03/11/2025] Reuters reported.
..... Contributing: USA Today's Joey Garrison and Reuters