Canadian Ministers, Ontario Premier to Hold Meeting with Lutnick Amid Ongoing Tariff Dispute

March 13, 2025 TruthUSA

Canadian officials are scheduled to meet with the U.S. commerce secretary in Washington today. This comes after a disagreement with U.S. President Donald Trump resulted in Ontario pausing its surcharge on electricity exports to the United States.

Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc, Ambassador to the U.S. Kirsten Hillman, and Ontario Premier Doug Ford will be meeting with Howard Lutnick. Ford’s objective for the meeting is to gain a clearer understanding of the Trump administration’s plans for tariffs.

On Wednesday, Trump escalated his global trade war by imposing 25 percent tariffs on steel and aluminum for every country, including Canada.

The day before, Trump threatened to double those tariffs on Canada, but changed course when Ford agreed to suspend the surcharge on electricity that Ontario sells to three U.S. states.

Meanwhile in the U.S. capital, the strained relationship between the two countries, exacerbated by tariffs and threats of annexation, continues as Trump’s nominee for the next U.S. ambassador to Canada faces questions today.

Pete Hoekstra, a former Michigan congressman, is set to appear before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for a nomination hearing.