GOP Welcomes Canada’s Attacks
House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) strongly criticized Ontario’s decision to impose a 25 percent surcharge on electricity exports to the U.S., calling it a misguided move that would ultimately benefit President Trump politically. In an interview on NewsNation, Emmer expressed his belief that the surcharge would only strengthen Trump’s standing among American voters.
Emmer pointed out that President Trump ran on a platform of imposing tariffs to protect American interests, and he is now delivering on that promise. “Every time they try to penalize American citizens, it only reinforces Trump’s position that he’s the one fighting for the American people,” Emmer stated. He went on to argue that the actions of the Canadian government would play directly into Trump’s hands by proving that foreign leaders, like those in Canada, are willing to impose burdens on American citizens, further highlighting the president’s commitment to putting America first.
Ontario’s surcharge on electricity exports is a direct response to the U.S. administration’s recent imposition of tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports. This new policy will add a 25 percent surcharge to electricity sales sent to New York, Minnesota, and Michigan, potentially costing U.S. businesses and consumers up to $400,000 per day. The surcharge affects about 1.5 million homes and businesses across these states, as the Canadian government seeks to retaliate against the U.S. tariffs, which were imposed as part of Trump’s “America First” trade agenda.
Emmer views this action by Ontario as a critical error. “By making it more expensive for Americans, they are only strengthening Trump’s argument that he’s the only one looking out for our interests,” he remarked. Despite some confusion over the specifics of the tariff orders, with Trump initially announcing and then delaying some measures, Emmer believes the broader strategy of pushing back against foreign tariffs will resonate with voters in his home state and beyond, further solidifying Trump’s support in key battleground areas.
