US President Donald Trump on Tuesday announced a sharp increase in tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum and warned of a "National Emergency" over electricity imports, Anadolu Agency reported.

"Based on Ontario, Canada, placing a 25% Tariff on “Electricity” coming into the United States, I have instructed my Secretary of Commerce to add an ADDITIONAL 25% Tariff, to 50%, on all STEEL and ALUMINUM COMING INTO THE UNITED STATES FROM CANADA, ONE OF THE HIGHEST TARIFFING NATIONS ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD. This will go into effect TOMORROW MORNING, March 12th," Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Accusing Canada of imposing "Anti-American Farmer Tariffs" of up to 390% on US dairy products, Trump also said: "I will shortly be declaring a National Emergency on Electricity within the threatened area. This will allow the U.S to quickly do what has to be done to alleviate this abusive threat from Canada."

Trump also accused Canada of benefiting unfairly from US military protection, and stated that "Canada pays very little for National Security, relying on the United States for military protection. We are subsidizing Canada to the tune of more than 200 Billion Dollars a year. WHY??? This cannot continue."

He once again reiterated his idea of merging Canada with the US, arguing that "the only thing that makes sense is for Canada to become our cherished Fifty First State," saying that this would eliminate tariffs and other trade barriers.

"Canadians taxes will be very substantially reduced, they will be more secure, militarily and otherwise, than ever before, there would no longer be a Northern Border problem," he added.

Trump further warned that if Canada does not drop its tariffs, "I will substantially increase, on April 2nd, the Tariffs on Cars coming into the U.S. which will, essentially, permanently shut down the automobile manufacturing business in Canada."

Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced Monday a 25% electricity surcharge on exports to US states, including Michigan and New York, as part of ongoing trade tensions.

"The artificial line of separation drawn many years ago will finally disappear," Trump said, adding that Canada’s national anthem, "O Canada," would still be played, but as part of "a GREAT and POWERFUL STATE within the greatest Nation that the World has ever seen!"