Investing.com -- U.S. President Donald Trump has yet to engage in conversation with Canada’s newly appointed Prime Minister, Mark Carney, following the imposition of an extra 25% tariff on steel and aluminum imports from Canada, according to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt.

Leavitt confirmed on Tuesday that President Trump’s line is always accessible to leaders who want to have a discussion with him. She further explained that the decision to hike tariffs on Canadian metals came in response to Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s move to add a 25% surcharge on electricity exports to the U.S.

Leavitt described the tariff increase as a "retaliatory statement due to the escalation of rhetoric that we’ve seen out of Ontario, Canada." The U.S. and Canada, traditionally close trade partners, have seen tensions rise following these recent moves.

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