Donald Trump Fires Back After Canadian Premier’s Steep Electricity Tax Hike Impacts U.S. Consumers
Former President Donald Trump has once again found himself at the center of an international controversy, this time directing his ire northward after a steep electricity tax hike by a Canadian provincial premier began to ripple across the border, affecting American consumers in several northern states.
The hike—announced by Premier Luc Moreau of Quebec—places a significant new levy on electricity exports from the province, which supplies power to parts of New England and the upper Midwest. While framed as a climate-focused measure meant to curb consumption and fund green infrastructure, the policy has quickly turned political, with Trump calling it “an act of economic sabotage.”
“This is a disgraceful move by the Canadian government,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “Quebec’s Premier just raised electricity prices for millions of hardworking Americans—and Joe Biden is doing NOTHING about it. When I was in office, this never would’ve happened.”
Trump’s remarks came after reports that utility companies in Vermont, New York, and Maine were already facing price surges due to the new export tariff. In some areas, electricity bills are expected to rise by as much as 15% this summer—an especially painful blow as inflation and energy costs continue to weigh heavily on American households.
The former president, who is actively campaigning for the 2024 Republican nomination, seized the moment to bolster his “America First” messaging. “The U.S. should not be at the mercy of foreign leaders who think they can bully us with taxes and tariffs. We have plenty of energy here—we just need the right leadership to unleash it,” he declared at a rally in Michigan, another state expected to be indirectly affected through grid fluctuations.
Canadian officials were quick to defend the policy. Premier Moreau stated that the tax was part of Quebec’s broader strategy to “reduce carbon emissions and invest in a more sustainable future.” He also insisted that the province had the right to charge for its resources as it sees fit, particularly in light of rising domestic demand and infrastructure costs.
But Trump isn’t backing down. He’s called for immediate retaliation in the form of tariffs on Canadian goods and restrictions on cross-border energy deals. “We need to stand up for our people. If they want to play hardball, we can play harder,” he said.
White House officials have not issued a formal response, but sources inside the Department of Energy acknowledge “concern” over the spike in prices and its impact on American consumers. Talks with Canadian officials are reportedly underway behind closed doors, with some urging moderation to avoid sparking a full-scale trade dispute.
Meanwhile, political analysts suggest Trump is using the moment to not only rally his base but also to highlight what he sees as the Biden administration’s weakness on foreign economic policy. “Trump is framing this as another example of America being taken advantage of,” said political strategist Lana Hurst. “And for voters feeling the squeeze on their utility bills, that message could stick.”
Whether this spat escalates or de-escalates in the coming weeks, one thing is clear: Donald Trump has found a new battleground—and it’s just across the northern border.
