Trump doubles tariffs on Canadian metals to 50% over electricity dispute

US President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that he will double the planned tariffs on all steel and aluminum products coming from Canada, increasing the duties to 50 percent.

This decision comes in response to a 25 percent tariff imposed by Ontario on electricity exports to the United States.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump revealed that he had instructed his Commerce Secretary to implement the additional 25 percent tariff, which will take effect on Wednesday morning.

The move marks a significant escalation in the ongoing trade dispute between the US and Canada.

Trump also stated that if tariffs, including those on agricultural products, are not removed, he would escalate the situation further by increasing taxes on the Canadian car industry. He warned that this could effectively "permanently shut down the automobile manufacturing business in Canada."

This development is the latest in a series of tensions between the two nations, with Trump framing the tariffs as a necessary response to what he described as unfair trade practices by Canada.

The situation is expected to add more strain to already tense trade relations between the US and Canada.