Ontario suspends electricity tariffs as US trade officials agree to talks

11th Mar 2025 19:38

(Sharecast News) - Ontario has suspended its 25% surcharge on exports of electricity to three US states after US officials agreed to talks with the Canadian province's Premier Doug Ford in Washington later this week.

The suspension comes after US President Donald Trump threatened to double tariffs on Canadian metal imports to 50%.

In a joint statement Ford and US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said they had a "productive conversation" "on Tuesday.

"Secretary Lutnick agreed to officially meet with Premier Ford in Washington on Thursday, March 13 alongside the United States Trade Representative to discuss a renewed USMCA ahead of the April 2 reciprocal tariff deadline. In response, Ontario agreed to suspend its 25% surcharge on exports of electricity to Michigan, New York and Minnesota.

Ford imposed the tax last week, in retaliation for 25% tariffs Trump levied on Canadian goods, which the White House later suspended.

Reporting by Frank Prenesti for Sharecast.com