The White House has confirmed that U.S. President Donald Trump’s new 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum will be stacked on top of existing trade levies on Canadian goods, potentially imposing a total tariff of 50% on Canadian steel and aluminum.
The announcement, made by a senior White House official on background Tuesday, adds a new layer of economic uncertainty between the two countries as Canadian leaders rally in Washington to fight back against the escalating trade measures.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau pressed U.S. Vice President JD Vance on the issue during a meeting in Paris, where both leaders were attending a global summit on artificial intelligence. A senior Canadian government official noted that Trudeau specifically highlighted the negative impact of the tariffs on Ohio, a state Vance previously represented in the U.S. Senate.
Trudeau described the tariffs as “unacceptable” and vowed to work with international partners to deliver a “firm and clear” response to the White House.
The new tariffs, set to take effect March 12, come on the heels of Trump’s earlier threats to impose a 25% across-the-board tariff on all Canadian imports—a move that could still take effect in early March alongside a separate 10% levy on Canadian energy exports.
Trump signed executive orders on Monday, officially setting the tariffs in motion, marking another aggressive move in his broader strategy to reshape global trade through unilateral tariffs.
As tensions rise, Ontario Premier Doug Ford and other Canadian premiers are actively lobbying American business leaders and Republican lawmakers in Washington to push back against the looming tariffs.
“Let’s stick together and please get the message to President Trump—this is not a good idea for either country,” Ford urged members of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce during meetings on Tuesday.
The Council of the Federation, which represents Canada’s 13 provincial and territorial premiers, had initially planned the trip to fight against Trump’s original all-encompassing tariffs on Canadian imports. However, the latest tariff escalation has further intensified their diplomatic push.
Ford also expressed disappointment over the latest trade measures and signaled that retaliatory tariffs could be on the table, though he stressed that Canada prefers to avoid such action.
Trump has not limited his tariff threats to Canada. On Monday, he also announced 25% tariffs on all Mexican imports, though he agreed to delay implementation until at least March 4 following border security negotiations with Mexico and Canada.
British Columbia Premier David Eby, also in Washington for trade discussions, expressed frustration over Canada’s vulnerability to unilateral U.S. trade policies.
“We are way too reliant on the decisions of one person in the White House,” Eby warned, emphasizing the need for stronger economic independence from the U.S.
Despite months of diplomacy, it remains unclear what Trump ultimately wants from Canada. His initial tariff threats were tied to border security and fentanyl concerns, but in recent weeks, his complaints have expanded to include defense spending and trade deficits.
Adding to the uncertainty, Trump recently joked about making Canada the 51st U.S. state, raising further speculation about his broader trade and diplomatic strategy.
Trade expert Eric Miller, president of Rideau Potomac Strategy Group, suggests that Trump may only reconsider if the stock market reacts negatively or American consumers feel the financial burden of his policies.
“This is a case where, unfortunately, President Trump has to touch the hot stove before he realizes how valuable and integrated this relationship is,” Miller explained.
While Ford previously suggested cutting off energy exports to the U.S., he has since pivoted toward his “Fortress Am-Can” strategy, which aims to strengthen economic ties between Canada and the U.S. to counter China’s geopolitical influence.
Ford is scheduled to meet with key Republican lawmakers, including House Republican Conference Chair Lisa McClain, Rep. Rob Wittman, and Sen. Kevin Cramer, later this week.
Ford also hinted that Trump’s tariff strategy could be a negotiation tactic ahead of the scheduled 2026 review of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), the successor to NAFTA.
“The only thing certain right now in both economies is uncertainty,” Ford remarked.
During the original NAFTA renegotiations in 2018, Trump floated a 25% tariff on Canada’s auto sector, though it was never implemented. However, he did impose 25% tariffs on steel and 10% on aluminum, which were only lifted after intense negotiations.
Now, Trump is bringing those tariffs back—this time, at potentially twice the rate.
With just weeks before implementation, Canadian officials face a high-stakes battle to protect the country’s economy.