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Canada has announced retaliatory tariffs on about $19.9 billion worth of American goods, matching Trump’s new duties dollar for dollar.
Some shit you should know before you dig in: Trade talks between the US and Canada collapsed a week ago, and the US responded by announcing 50% tariffs on roughly $20 billion in Canadian goods, which took effect Saturday and hit hockey sticks, clothing, whisky, toys, and dairy. The White House invoked Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930, arguing Canada’s trade policies discriminate against American exporters. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney promised to hit back at the US, saying, “You’re at war when you’re attacked, and we got attacked. We’re going to hit back.” On Monday, Trump threatened another round, saying tariffs on Canadian steel, cars, auto parts, and trucks would hit 50% on Jan. 1.
What’s going on now: Prime Minister Carney announced tariff increases covering more than 700 American products, with Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne laying out the details Tuesday. They take effect Sept. 8 and cover only US-origin goods. Steel and aluminum go from 25% to 50%, as do furniture and clothing. Appliances, seafood, and cheese will get hit with a 25% tariff. Electronics, tools and tool parts, and air conditioning units land in the 15% tier. The list also covers toilet paper, dairy, agricultural equipment, pulp and paper, plastics, plywood, aluminum foil, and motorcycles.
In a statement, Champagne said, “Our dollar-for-dollar, rate for rate counter-tariffs as well as a multi-billion dollar support package will protect workers, farmers, families, and businesses.” He added that these are “designed primarily to provide protection for Canadian industry impacted by U.S. tariffs and allow them to compete against U.S. products in the Canadian market.”
Carney’s government paired the tariffs with a multibillion-dollar package for small and medium-sized businesses and support for workers at risk. Champagne described Canada as “masters of our own home.” Industry Minister Mélanie Joly urged Canadians to buy domestic as part of a broader resistance push, telling them, “You have power.”
This all comes as Trump has accused Canada of ripping off the US for decades, writing Tuesday that it is “easily the most difficult and unreasonable” country he deals with and that “they feel entitled, but they are not a State, and will be entitled no longer!”
