WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump announced sharply higher tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminium on Tuesday, while threatening to “shut down” its auto industry and saying the best way to end the trade war was for Washington’s ally to be absorbed into the United States.

Trump’s shock new threats came hours before a midnight deadline for ramping up the Republican’s increasingly global trade offensive with levies on both metals.

On his Truth Social platform, Trump said he would double planned 25-per cent tariffs on steel and aluminium to 50pc for imports of the metals from Canada.

A 25pc levy is still due to kick in Wednesday for US trading partners, hitting Brazil, Mexico, the United Arab Emirates and other countries. The upcoming tariffs, which currently allow for no exceptions, threaten to affect everything from electronics to vehicles and construction equipment — and have manufacturers scrambling to find cost-effective domestic suppliers.

The country facing the most aggressive action is Canada, historically one of the United States’ closest allies and top trading partners.

Ottawa is locked in an extraordinarily bitter war of words with the Republican, facing constant threats over its sovereignty. Canada’s incoming prime minister Mark Carney struck a defiant note on Sunday, saying Canadians are “always ready” for a fight if one is needed.

A Canadian government source said that Ottawa will “have to respond” in kind if Trump hiked tariffs further on its goods. Canada supplies half of US aluminium imports and 20pc of US steel imports, noted industry consultant EY-Parthenon.

Trump said his supercharged tariffs were in response to Canadian province Ontario’s 25pc surcharge on electricity exports to three US states.

Trump said he would announce an electricity national emergency in the area hit by the price increases. He also ramped up threats, warning that if what he called “egregious” Canadian tariffs are not dropped, he would boost tariffs on cars from April 2.

Published in Dawn, March 12th, 2025