The premier of the Canadian province of Ontario announced that 25 million Americans will be charged 1,5 percent more for electricity starting today, in response to US President Donald Trump's trade war.
Ontario supplies electricity to the US states of Minnesota, New York, and Michigan.
"I will not hesitate to increase this load. If the US escalates, I will not hesitate to completely cut off power," Ontario Premier Doug Ford said at a news conference in Toronto.
He stressed that he did not want that and that he "feels terrible" for the American people who, he added, did not start the trade war, and that the only person responsible for it is US President Donald Trump.
Ford said the province of Ontario will keep its electricity rate hikes even though Trump announced a one-month delay in imposing additional tariffs on Canadian goods, suggesting the one-month pause means nothing but more uncertainty.
Under the new market rules, any generator selling electricity to the U.S. must add a 25 percent markup to the price. The Ontario government expects this to generate revenue of C$300.000 to C$400.000 per day, which it says will be used to support Ontario workers, families and businesses.
This new surcharge comes on top of the initial retaliatory tariffs worth 30 billion Canadian dollars ($21 billion US) that the Canadian federal government imposed on American products such as orange juice, peanut butter, coffee, home appliances, footwear, cosmetics, motorcycles, paper products.
Trump launched a new trade war last week by imposing tariffs on three of the US's largest trading partners - Mexico, Canada and China, which immediately triggered retaliatory measures from those countries and disrupted financial markets.
Trump later said he was delaying the implementation of a 25 percent tariff on many goods from Canada and Mexico for a month amid widespread fears of a wider trade war.
The premier of the Canadian province of Ontario estimated that the new levies would add about 100 Canadian dollars ($69) per month to the accounts of every American affected by them.
"Until tariffs are taken off the table, until the threat of tariffs is gone forever, Ontario will not budge," Ford said.
Ford said Trump changes his mind every day, but if he continues to attack Canada, he will do everything he can to maximize the "pain" he inflicts on the United States with his measures. "Republicans, at least the ones I've talked to, disagree with President Trump, but they're too scared to come out and say it publicly. It's a shame, but we have to stop this (tariffs)," the Ontario premier said.
Trump has called on American automakers to move production from Canada and Mexico to the U.S. Last week, Trump granted a one-month waiver on the 25 percent tariff on vehicles and auto parts sold through the North American Free Trade Agreement (USMCA) after talks with leaders of automakers Ford, General Motors and Stellantis.
Ontario Premier Ford also pointed out that the US president is threatening Canada with tariffs on steel, aluminium and dairy products. "I will do whatever I can to maximise the pain towards America," Ford said.
Ontario Minister of Energy and Electrification Stephen Leche said that America needs Canadian electricity and that the decision could affect other American states since those three states often resell electricity from Ontario.
"It's unfortunate that we've come this far," said the Canadian minister.
Trump's trade war and his talk of wanting Canada to become the 51st US state have angered Canadians, who are booing the American flag at NHL and NBA games, some are canceling trips south of the border, and many are avoiding buying American goods when they can, writes the AP.
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