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Despite signals that Trump is easing off from his threatened 25 per cent tariffs on all Canadian goods, Ford said “we have to follow through until he drops tariffs completely.”

That means that as of Monday, the electricity Ontario ships to 1.5 million customers in New York, Michigan and Minnesota will be subject to a new counter levy.

It will be done through a ministerial directive because the legislature is not sitting.

“Isn’t this a shame, this whole thing with President Trump is an absolute mess,” Ford told reporters at Queen’s Park.

The Ontario premier mocked Trump for bleating about the free trade deal “that he created and was not changed at all under president (Joe) Biden.”

“He said it was the greatest deal,” noted Ford, referring to the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which is also known as the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA).

Emboldened by the Trump administration’s apparent change of heart, the premier rejected the White House’s latest offer of a 30-day reprieve on tariffs amid a plunging stock market, rising prices and threatened factory closures.

“We know what happened last time he said 30 days, and a week later or two weeks later, he brings the tariffs back,” said Ford, referring to the “rollercoaster” ride since Trump succeeded Biden in January.

“You know when you touch the stove, once you get burnt, you don’t touch that stove again,” he said.

“We’re going to make sure that we follow through with what we said we were going to do until we get a deal. We’re going to add more tariffs.”

Ford held a meeting late Thursday afternoon with Energy and Electrification Minister Stephen Lecce to discuss the export tax plan.

Lecce, who is usually eager to speak with the media, rushed past reporters and said no details on how the tax would work or under what authority it can be imposed would be released until Monday. 

Ford also declined to comment.

Earlier, the premier said he has spoken to New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz about the new tax.

“They understand. Are they happy? Sure they aren’t happy,” he said, noting all three Democratic governors oppose Trump’s tariffs.

Whitmer said while she was “grateful that broad 25 per cent tariffs on Michigan’s auto industry are being pulled back by the administration,” she remains concerned.

“We all want to lower costs, bring manufacturing back home, and make more cars in America. These tariffs would jack up prices at and lead to layoffs. We just can’t afford it,” the Michigan governor said Wednesday.

Walz, , said also he wants to resolve the crisis.

“I called Canadian Premiers Doug Ford and Wab Kinew today as we try to find a way through this unnecessary and costly trade war,” the Minnesotan said late Wednesday on social media, referring to Manitoba’s premier.

“While the president may not value the partnerships that contribute billions of dollars to our economy, Minnesota does,” said Walz.

Hochul warned Trump’s tariffs “will cost New York families more than $1,200 each and devastate our family farms.”