CANADA: Ont. Expect Significant Easing Of Tariff Impact After Lutnick-Ford Call

Canada's Globe and Mail reports "Ontario expects the U.S. administration to significantly ease the impact of auto tariffs on Canada, following a phone call from Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to Premier Doug Ford on Wednesday, according to a source." The source claims that Lutnick "understands how integrated auto supply chains are", and that the Ontario gov't "expects further refinement and development" to the tariffs. 

• Globe and Mail: "[source says] the changes likely won’t eliminate the impact of tariffs but will give Canadian and Ontario automakers a very significant relative advantage against the rest of the world."
• Asked on the prospect of reiposing the 25% surcharge on electricity imposed on exports to the US, that were swiftly revoked after US threats to double tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminium, Ford said he would wait and see what happens on 2 April.
• Ford confirmed on 26 March that he had requested PM Mark Carney to convene a call with all provincial premier's as soon as possible, potentially 31 March, “to ensure we take a Team Canada approach to this.”