Canadian Premier had message for Americans before making major U-turn on huge tax increase on electricity

A top Canadian official who threatened to take a swipe at President Donald Trump through the coffers of working-class American people has addressed his comments.

Two days ago (March 10), Ontario Premier Doug Ford threatened to slap a huge levy on electricity to the homes and businesses of 1.5 million Americans in retaliation to the tariffs the US have imposed on Canadian imports.

"We will apply maximum pressure to maximise our leverage," he said at a press conference. "That's why today we're moving forward with a 25 percent surcharge on electricity exports."

"For the 1.5 million American homes and businesses that Ontario powers, homes and businesses in Minnesota, Michigan and New York, this surcharge will cost families and businesses in these states up to $400,000 dollars each and every single day.

"On an average, this will add around $100 dollars per month to the bills of hardworking Americans."

After seemingly realizing how his war of words with Trump is being taken out on the American people, he accepted an invite onto a New York radio station to apologize.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford and provincial Minister of Energy and Electrification Stephen Lecce give remarks at a press conference in Queen's Park on March 10, 2025 in Toronto, Canada (Katherine KY Cheng/Getty Images)

Speaking on WABC’s Cats & Cosby, he said: "I want to apologize to the American people. I spent 20 years of my life in the US, in New Jersey, in Chicago. I love the American people. I absolutely love them.

"We’re going to get through this. We’re stronger together. We’ll always be united."

It comes as Ford and US commerce secretary Howard Lutnick shared how they had a 'productive conversation' about their economic relations and plan on meeting tomorrow (March 13) to discuss renewing the US-Mexico-Canada free trade act ahead of Trump's reciprocal tariff deadline on April 2.

"In response, Ontario agreed to suspend its 25 percent surcharge on exports of electricity to Michigan, New York and Minnesota," Ford's statement on Twitter added.

A view of electric poles and wires stretching along Edmonton's Anthony Henday Drive in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada (Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Trump has also pressed the pause button and called Ford a 'strong man' amid the tense stand off.

The 47th President of the United States addressed the situation while speaking with reporters yesterday (March 11): "As you know, there's a very strong man in Canada who said he was going to charge a surcharge or a tariff on electricity coming into our country."

"He has called, and he said he's not going to do that," Trump continued.

"He's not going to do that. And it would've been a very bad thing if he did and he's not going to, so I respect that."