Trump Drops Plan to Double Tariffs on Canadian Steel and Aluminum After Ontario Suspends Energy Export Tax

Ontario suspended its 25 percent electricity export tariff after premier and U.S. commerce secretary spoke on March 11.

A construction worker helps build a support column using steel rebar during the building of a condo tower in Miami, Fla., on Feb. 10, 2025. Joe Raedle/Getty Images

President Donald Trump will not double tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum after Ontario suspended its 25 percent tax on energy exports in response to U.S. tariffs, White House officials say.

“After President Trump threatened to use his executive powers to retaliate with a colossal 50 percent tariff against Canada, Ontario Premier Doug Ford spoke with Secretary [Howard] Lutnick to convey that he is backing down on implementing a 25 percent charge on electricity exports to the United States,” White House spokesman Kush Desai said on March 11.