In brief
Canada has introduced counter‑tariffs of up to 50% on a broad range of U.S. goods, including steel, tuna, furniture and cotton T‑shirts, affecting roughly C$28 billion of imports. The move mirrors the tariffs imposed by President Trump on Canadian products and will take effect on 8 September. Finance Minister François‑Philippe Champagne described the response as “proportionate” and “strategic” and pledged C$7.5 billion in aid to businesses hit by U.S. tariffs. The escalation threatens to disrupt North‑American supply chains and could jeopardise the USMCA trade pact.
Canada announced counter‑tariffs that could reach 50% on a wide array of U.S. goods—steel, fresh tuna, furniture, cotton T‑shirts and more—following President Trump’s recent tariffs on Canadian imports.
In total, the measures target about C$28 billion of U.S. products, a figure roughly equivalent to 20 billion dollars.
The tariffs are designed to mirror the American actions, coming into force on 8 September. Finance Minister François‑Philippe Champagne called them “proportionate” and “strategic”, stressing the need to counteract the damage caused to Canadian workers and businesses.
Canadian officials also announced plans to allocate C$7.5 billion for support programmes aimed at mitigating job losses and keeping companies afloat amid the trade dispute.
The escalation risks upsetting long‑established North American supply chains and could threaten the future of the USMCA trade agreement.
Product categories affected include:
- Steel and aluminum products: 50% tariff, up from 25%
- Natural honey, furniture, clothing, makeup and perfume: 50% tariff
- Appliances, dairy products such as cheese, fish and seafood, and certain steel and aluminum derivatives: 25% tariff
- Tools and machinery—including forklifts and air‑conditioning units: 15% tariff
