News Analysis
Ontario’s decision to put a 25 percent surcharge on electricity exports to the United States on March 10 caused enough attention south of the border for U.S. President Donald Trump to vow to double the 25 percent aluminum and steel tariffs on Canada scheduled for March 12.
The province’s move, had it continued, would have racked up electricity bills to differing degrees in the three states that Ontario exports energy to: New York, Michigan, and Minnesota. But what would have been more concerning for the reliability of the grid is if Ontario Premier Doug Ford had gone further and followed through with his threat to cut off electricity altogether in response to U.S. tariffs….