By Canadian Press

Ford says energy surcharge remains on table but he won’t ‘antagonize’ U.S. in talks

Mar 18, 2025 | 12:38 PM

TORONTO — Ontario Premier Doug Ford says he is keeping the possibility of reintroducing a surcharge on electricity exported to the United States in his back pocket, but for now he doesn’t want to “antagonize” American officials.

Ford was speaking today about the meeting he had last week with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, calling it productive and saying Lutnick is not interested in President Donald Trump’s talk of making Canada the 51st state.

The premier, along with federal ministers Dominic LeBlanc and François-Philippe Champagne, met Thursday with Lutnick after Ford agreed Tuesday to suspend a 25 per cent electricity surcharge he placed on exports to three states a day earlier.

That concession came after Trump threatened to double tariffs on steel and aluminum imports to 50 per cent in response to the surcharge, and Ford says he is keeping the surcharge on the table but won’t do anything to jeopardize negotiations.

Ford says Thursday’s meeting was productive and Canada’s goal is to be first in line for exemptions on April 2, when Trump has said he will enact more tariffs.

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The premier says officials on both sides of the border had a followup conversation Monday night and plan to continue the discussion next week.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 18, 2025.

Allison Jones and Liam Casey, The Canadian Press

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