Ford says energy surcharge remains on table but he won't 'antagonize' U.S. in talks

Ontario Premier Doug Ford is keeping the anticipation of reintroducing a surcharge connected energy exported to the United States successful his backmost pocket, but says for present helium doesn't privation to "antagonize" American officials.

Ford was speaking Tuesday astir a gathering helium had past week with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, calling it productive and suggesting Lutnick did not enactment a batch of banal successful President Donald Trump's speech of making Canada the 51st state.

"As Secretary Lutnick told us, he's not invading Canada and each the different nonsense that's been going on," Ford said. "He wants to boost up Canada. It's successful their champion interest, after — if I tin enactment it bluntly — aft they capable their plate."

The premier, on with national ministers Dominic LeBlanc and Francois-Philippe Champagne, met Thursday with Lutnick aft Ford agreed Tuesday to suspend a 25 per cent energy surcharge helium placed connected exports to 3 states a time earlier.

WATCH | Doug Ford pauses 25% surcharge connected exported energy to 3 U.S. states: 

That concession came aft Trump threatened to double tariffs connected alloy and aluminum imports to 50 per cent successful effect to the surcharge, and Ford said helium is keeping the surcharge connected the array but won't bash thing to jeopardize negotiations.

"It's ever connected the table," helium said. "But the past happening I privation to bash is antagonize and everyone goes to warfare again."

Ford said Canada's extremity is to beryllium archetypal successful enactment for exemptions connected April 2, erstwhile Trump has said helium volition enact much tariffs.

The president has said helium is putting successful spot reciprocal tariffs arsenic of that date, and Ford said U.S. officials person indicated they are looking astatine sector-based tariffs, including lumber, steel, aluminum and technology.