President Calls for More Tariffs on Canada, Annexation

The President called for a sharp escalation in trade measures against Canada, citing Ontario’s imposition of a 25% tariff on electricity exported to the U.S.  Tuesday he declared that the administration will implement a 50% tariff on Canadian steel and aluminum, set to take effect on March 12.

“Based on Ontario, Canada, placing a 25% Tariff on ‘Electricity’ coming into the United States, 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,” the statement read.

The statement also called for Canada to reduce what it described as “outrageous” tariffs on American dairy products, which range from 250% to 390%. In addition, the administration announced its intention to declare a national emergency concerning electricity, aiming to “alleviate this abusive threat from Canada.”

Further tariffs on Canadian automobiles are also being considered. “If other egregious, long-time Tariffs are not likewise dropped by Canada, I will substantially increase, on April 2nd, the Tariffs on Cars coming into the U.S., which will, essentially, permanently shut down the automobile manufacturing business in Canada,” the statement warned.

Beyond trade concerns, the statement criticized Canada’s defense spending, asserting that the U.S. heavily subsidizes Canadian security. “Canada pays very little for National Security, relying on the United States for military protection. We are subsidizing Canada to the tune of more than 200 Billion Dollars a year. WHY??? This cannot continue,” it stated.

Call for Statehood

The statement concluded with an unprecedented suggestion—that Canada should become part of the United States. “The only thing that makes sense is for Canada to become our cherished Fifty-First State. This would make all Tariffs, and everything else, totally disappear,” it stated, adding that such a move would result in lower taxes for Canadians, enhanced security, and the elimination of border issues.

“The artificial line of separation drawn many years ago will finally disappear, and we will have the safest and most beautiful Nation anywhere in the World,” the statement declared, concluding that Canada’s national anthem, O Canada, would “continue to play, but now representing a GREAT and POWERFUL STATE within the greatest Nation that the World has ever seen!”

Never Mind...

Tuesday afternoon Ontario Premier Doug Ford said he would suspend the 25 per cent surcharge following a “productive” conversation with US commerce secretary Howard Lutnick.