US President Donald Trump announced significant increases in tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminium on Tuesday while threatening to “shut down” the Canadian auto industry and claiming that for the trade war to conclude, Canada should become part of the United States.
Trump’s surprising new threats emerged just hours ahead of a midnight deadline to escalate his global trade strategy with tariffs on both types of metal.
On his Truth Social platform, Trump announced he would raise the planned 25-per cent tariffs on steel and aluminium to 50 per cent for imports from Canada. A 25-percent duty is set to take effect Wednesday for US trading partners, impacting Brazil, Mexico, the United Arab Emirates, and other nations.
These forthcoming tariffs, which do not allow for exemptions, could disrupt a wide range of products, including electronics, vehicles, and construction machinery, leaving manufacturers searching for cost-effective domestic suppliers.
The nation facing the most severe measures is Canada, which is traditionally among the United States’ closest allies and top trading partners.
Ottawa finds itself in an intensely contentious verbal conflict with the Republican administration, dealing with ongoing threats to its independence.
Trump indicated that his heightened tariffs were a reaction to Ontario’s 25-percent fee on electricity exports to three US states, adding that he would declare a national emergency regarding electricity in the areas affected by these rising costs.
In his social media update on Tuesday, Trump suggested that the “only logical solution” would be for Canada to become the 51st state of the United States.
“This would eliminate all tariffs, along with everything else,” Trump wrote.
