Trump announces 50% tariffs on a range of Canadian imports
The United States will impose 50% duties on about $20 billion of Canadian goods, citing alleged discriminatory treatment and a trade deficit, prompting a response from Canadian officials.
President Donald Trump announced that the United States will levy 50% tariffs on a broad list of Canadian products, including wine, cement, hockey sticks, dairy items, furniture and clothing. The measures, set to take effect within 30 days, are based on Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930, which allows punitive duties when a trading partner is deemed to have discriminated against U.S. goods.
The tariffs will cover roughly $20 billion of imports, about 5.2% of the total U.S. imports from Canada in 2025, while excluding oil, gas, critical minerals, potash and items already subject to sector-specific duties. The administration cited a $46.4 billion U.S. trade deficit with Canada, largely driven by Canadian energy exports, as part of its justification.
"Canada has taken U.S. alcohol products off Canadian shelves, given better market access to dairy products from the European Union, and has put a cap on U.S. vehicle exports to Canada," U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said in a statement, adding that the tariffs aim to hold Canada accountable for “retaliation and discrimination.”
The White House also noted that Canada was the only country, aside from China, to retaliate against U.S. tariffs imposed the previous year.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney responded that the tariffs constitute “the latest in a series of unilateral U.S. trade actions” that breach the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). He said Canada has offered detailed proposals to resolve the dispute and is ready to intensify discussions in the coming weeks.
The move adds to existing U.S. duties on Canadian copper, aluminum, steel and a 25% tax on non-U.S. auto parts, raising concerns about further strain on the bilateral trade relationship.