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President Trump has announced a doubling of tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum while again suggesting annexing Canada.
President Trump announced Tuesday that he would escalate import taxes on Canada, raising steel and aluminum tariffs to 50%. He reiterated his desire to annex Canada, suggesting that the only solution to the tariff dispute would be for Canada to become the 51st state of the U.S.
Trump announced the tariff increase on Truth Social, citing Ontario’s 25% retaliatory surcharge on electricity exports to the U.S. as the reason.
“I have instructed my Secretary of Commerce to add an ADDITIONAL 25% Tariff, to 50%, on all STEEL and ALUMINUM COMING INTO THE UNITED STATES FROM CANADA, ONE OF THE HIGHEST TARIFFING NATIONS ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD,” Trump stated, adding the increase would take effect Wednesday.
The president also demanded Canada remove what he termed “anti-american farmer tariff of 250% to 390% on various US dairy products,” along with other “egregious” taxes. Failure to comply, he warned, would lead to further action, specifically targeting Canadian car production with measures designed to “essentially, permanently shut down the automobile manufacturing business.”
Trump initially announced 25% tariffs on Canada in early February, delaying them until the previous Tuesday. Exemptions were granted to Canadian automakers and goods under the USMCA until April. Ottawa responded by imposing tariffs on $30 billion of American products, with an additional $125 billion in duties planned for next month.
Trump repeated claims that the U.S. has been “subsidizing” Canada by over $200 billion annually but proposed that joining the U.S. as “our cherished Fifty First State” would best resolve outstanding issues and benefit both countries.
Since December 2024, Trump and his inner circle have consistently voiced support for acquiring Canada. Canadian leaders and citizens have rejected the idea. A recent YouGov poll indicated that 77% of Canadians strongly oppose annexation, with only about 15% in favor.
Incoming Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has pledged to win the trade war with Washington, while acknowledging that “this victory will not be easy.” Carney also dismissed ceding sovereignty to the U.S., declaring Sunday that “Canada never, ever will be part of America in any way, shape, or form.”