US President Donald Trump has imposed a 50% tariff on a wide range of goods imported from Canada, in retaliation for what he called “unequal treatment” of US cars, dairy and alcohol.
Everyday consumer items like wine and hockey sticks and industrial goods such as cement are among the goods targeted. However, several key exports will be spared, such as energy, potash, critical minerals and fish.
Prime Minister Mark Carney responded by saying Canada stood ready to “intensify” trade talks with the US in the coming weeks.
The White House said the duties would take effect in 30 days. It marks a major escalation in trade tensions between the North American neighbours.
These tensions have been simmering since Trump returned to office in January 2025 and unleashed a wide-ranging global programme of tariffs.
Tariffs are taxes on imported goods that are paid to the government by companies bringing in the foreign products.
The US Supreme Court ruled earlier this year that many of Trump’s tariffs imposed globally under emergency powers were illegally enacted. But his latest action on Monday night uses a different, obscure law that is untested in court.
