Ontario suspends electricity surcharge after Trump doubles tariffs

Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced Tuesday that the province is suspending its 25% surcharge on electricity exports to the U.S. following President Trump’s decision to double tariffs on Canadian aluminum and steel.

Key Details:

Ford confirmed Ontario’s suspension of the electricity surcharge after Trump’s tariff escalation put Canadian industries under pressure.
The Ontario premier said he and Lutnick would meet with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on Thursday in Washington to discuss a “renewed USMCA.”
In a statement on X, Ford acknowledged the move, stating, “In response, Ontario agreed to suspend its 25 percent surcharge on exports of electricity to Michigan, New York and Minnesota.”

Diving Deeper:

Just hours after President Trump doubled tariffs on Canadian aluminum and steel, Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced Tuesday that the province will suspend its 25% electricity surcharge on power exports to three U.S. states. The policy reversal comes as Ontario seeks to avoid further economic retaliation from Washington.

Trump’s latest round of tariffs—upping duties on Canadian steel and aluminum to 50%—were issued in direct response to Ontario’s electricity tax on U.S. consumers in Michigan, New York, and Minnesota. The move threatened to escalate an already tense trade standoff, with Trump warning of additional penalties targeting Canada’s auto sector if broader trade disputes weren’t addressed.

Ford took to X to confirm Ontario’s decision to pull back on the surcharge, saying he had a “productive conversation” with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. The two will meet in Washington on Thursday alongside U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer to discuss a possible “renewed USMCA,” signaling a potential shift in trade relations between the two nations.

“In response, Ontario agreed to suspend its 25 percent surcharge on exports of electricity to Michigan, New York and Minnesota,” Ford and Lutnick stated in a joint announcement.

The suspension of Ontario’s surcharge marks a significant concession in the ongoing trade dispute, which has sent shockwaves through financial markets and rattled Canadian industries. Trump had labeled Ontario’s surcharge an “abusive threat” and pledged to take decisive action to ensure American energy security.

Beyond the immediate tariff battle, Ford’s willingness to engage in talks about a “renewed USMCA” could indicate Canada’s growing concern over Trump’s broader trade agenda. The U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, originally signed during Trump’s first term, remains a key economic framework, but Trump has long criticized Canada’s tariffs on American dairy and its limited contributions to North American security.

While Ontario’s suspension of the electricity surcharge could ease tensions in the short term, the broader U.S.-Canada trade relationship remains in flux as Trump continues pushing for more favorable terms for American industries.

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Trump doubles tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum imports

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Ontario suspends electricity surcharge after Trump doubles tariffs

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Trump doubles tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum imports

Business

Trump doubles tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum imports

Published on March 11, 2025

Todayville

MxM News

Quick Hit:

President Trump announced Tuesday an additional 25% tariff on Canadian steel and aluminum imports, raising the total levy to 50%, in retaliation for Ontario’s decision to charge Americans in three border states 25% more for electricity.

Key Details:

Trump declared Ontario’s electricity surcharge on New York, Michigan, and Minnesota as an “abusive threat,” vowing to declare a National Emergency to counteract its impact.
The president threatened to impose a steep tariff on Canadian automobile imports by April 2nd if other longstanding trade disputes aren’t resolved, warning that it could “permanently shut down the automobile manufacturing business in Canada.”
Trump also called out Canada’s minimal contributions to military security, arguing that the U.S. subsidizes the country’s defense by more than $200 billion a year, saying, “This cannot continue.”

Diving Deeper:

President Trump took direct aim at Canada on Tuesday, unveiling an aggressive tariff hike on steel and aluminum imports from America’s northern neighbor. The move raises the current duty by an additional 25%, bringing the total to 50%, and follows Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s controversial decision to slap a 25% surcharge on electricity exports to U.S. border states.

Trump, in a post on Truth Social, blasted Ontario’s move as an “abusive threat” to American energy consumers and promised swift action. “I will shortly be declaring a National Emergency on Electricity within the threatened area,” Trump wrote, saying this would enable the U.S. to “quickly do what has to be done” to counteract Canada’s pricing.

But the trade battle didn’t stop there. Trump also called on Canada to eliminate tariffs of up to 390% on American dairy exports, a policy the president previously fought against during his first term. If Canada fails to act, Trump warned he would ramp up the pressure by imposing new tariffs on Canadian car exports, a move he said would effectively cripple the country’s auto industry.

“If other egregious, long-time Tariffs are not likewise dropped by Canada, I will substantially increase, on April 2nd, the Tariffs on Cars coming into the U.S., which will, essentially, permanently shut down the automobile manufacturing business in Canada,” Trump warned.

In addition to the latest tariffs, Trump took a broader swipe at Canada’s role in global security, reiterating a long-held grievance that the U.S. shoulders an unfair burden for its northern ally’s defense. “Canada pays very little for National Security, relying on the United States for military protection,” Trump wrote. “We are subsidizing Canada to the tune of more than 200 Billion Dollars a year. WHY??? This cannot continue.”

Trump then again floated annexing Canada into the United States to eliminate trade barriers and lower Canadian taxes. “The only thing that makes sense is for Canada to become our cherished Fifty-First State,” he wrote, claiming this would bring economic relief and greater security. “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!”

Business

38 state AGs, DoJ announce plan to end Google’s search monopoly

Published on March 11, 2025

Todayville

MxM News

Quick Hit:

A coalition of 38 state attorneys general, alongside the Department of Justice (DOJ), has announced a final plan to break up Google’s search engine monopoly. The proposed remedies include forcing Google to divest its Chrome browser and, potentially, its Android operating system. The move follows a court ruling last year that found Google guilty of monopolistic practices in online search.

Key Details:

The plan would require Google to sell Chrome and could extend to Android if initial measures fail.
The initiative aims to restore competition in the search and search advertising markets, according to Colorado AG Phil Weiser.
Google argues the DOJ’s proposal is overly aggressive and claims it would harm consumers and U.S. technology leadership.

Diving Deeper:

The Justice Department and 38 state attorneys general have put forward a final set of remedies aimed at dismantling Google’s dominance in online search and digital advertising. The proposal, announced by Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, seeks to correct years of alleged anti-competitive behavior by the tech giant.

“For years, the Google browser has been the dominant gateway for users to search the internet,” Weiser said, emphasizing that Google’s monopolistic grip has “stifled innovation, undermined competition, and harmed consumers.” The coalition’s proposed remedies focus on breaking up Google’s search empire to promote a more competitive marketplace.

One of the most significant aspects of the proposal is the forced divestiture of Google’s Chrome browser, which currently serves as the primary access point for billions of users. Additionally, if Google is found to be undermining the decree’s effectiveness, the company could also be required to sell off Android, further reducing its influence over digital search.

This aggressive action follows a federal court ruling last year that determined Google had engaged in monopolistic practices. The ruling came after extensive legal battles between the government and the tech giant, reinforcing concerns that Google’s dominance in online search has hurt competition and limited consumer choice.

However, Google has strongly pushed back against the proposal. Lee-Anne Mulholland, the company’s vice president of regulatory affairs, criticized the DOJ’s intervention, calling it an overreach. “DOJ’s proposal would harm American consumers and undermine America’s global technology leadership,” Mulholland said, signaling the company’s intent to challenge the ruling in court.

A court hearing on the proposed remedies is set to begin on April 21 and is expected to conclude by May 9. Google has already indicated that it will appeal any ruling that forces it to break up its core business, setting the stage for another high-stakes legal battle between the tech giant and federal regulators.