Ontario will begin charging a 25% surcharge on electricity exported to New York, Michigan, and Minnesota, impacting 1.5 million Americans starting Monday. The decision comes in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs, Premier Doug Ford announced on Thursday.
The province supplies electricity to these U.S. states, and Ford had previously warned their governors about the upcoming change.
“You touch the stove once, you get burned, you don’t touch that stove again,” Ford said. “We’re going to make sure that we follow through with what we said we were going to do.” While announcing the surcharge, Ford expressed regret.
“I feel terrible for the three governors, I have a phenomenal relationship (with them),” he said. He added that he had spoken with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz on Wednesday.
“All three governors think tariffs on their closest allies and friends is absolutely terrible,” Ford said.
“And Republicans, as well, behind closed doors, say this is the worst thing that he could do. And now I need the Republicans to come out and speak out about it. They’re too scared.”
