The tariff targets Canadian imports, including wine, hockey sticks, cement and several manufactured products
President Donald Trump escalated trade tensions with Canada yesterday, signing orders for an additional 50% tariff on goods, including wine, hockey sticks, cement and several manufactured products.
The White House said the tariffs target about $20 billion worth of Canadian goods and are meant to counter what it describes as Canada’s unfair trade policies against US products, particularly in the auto and alcohol sectors.
The new duties will take effect in 30 days. Essential products such as energy, potash, fish and critical minerals are exempt.
Earlier, Trump had announced a 35% tariff on Canadian goods, which is set to take effect on August 1.
The latest tariffs come as the two countries have yet to begin formal negotiations on updating the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and extend even to products covered under the existing pact.