OTTAWA, ONTARIO / RankWire.AI / – Canada will enforce tariffs of 15%, 25%, and 50% on C$27.6 billion worth of U.S. imports starting September 8, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced. These measures encompass over 700 tariff items and are designed to align with U.S. duty rates on a one-to-one basis. The implementation date was set following the enactment of new U.S. tariffs on August 22. Canada indicated that each selected product will carry the same tariff rate as the corresponding U.S. measure.
The scope of Canadian countermeasures extends far beyond metals and automobiles. Included on the list are household appliances, furniture, clothing, electronics, agricultural equipment, dairy products, pulp, and paper. Several steel and aluminum products will also face the highest tariff rate. Prior to announcing this latest package, Canada had already imposed retaliatory tariffs on some U.S. goods. Existing Canadian duties on U.S. automobiles will remain in effect alongside the new tariffs.
The 50% rate applies to specific steel and aluminum items, as well as certain furniture and clothing products. Canada will impose a 25% duty on some appliances, dairy items, and metal derivatives. Other goods will face a 15% tariff according to the published schedule. Each rate corresponds directly to a U.S. duty applied to similar Canadian exports. The Government of Canada emphasized that the new list targets sectors directly impacted by U.S. trade measures.
Tariff expansion impacts key industry sectors
Ottawa also introduced C$7.5 billion in new and expanded support aimed at workers and businesses affected by tariffs. This package includes C$1.5 billion allocated for the Regional Tariff Response Initiative. An additional C$500 million will bolster business liquidity through the Business Development Bank of Canada’s Pivot to Grow program. The government further designated C$2 billion for the Canada Strong Diversification Fund. Officials lowered the minimum revenue threshold for some support programs to C$1 million.
Furthermore, C$3.5 billion will be dedicated to assisting workers and employers through employment, training, and retention initiatives. These measures include temporary flexibilities in Employment Insurance and funding for workplace training. Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne stated that the counter tariffs will mirror U.S. measures dollar for dollar and rate for rate. The federal government’s support package builds upon earlier measures introduced during previous rounds of U.S. tariffs, which Canada reports provided nearly C$25 billion in aid.
Implementation of new tariffs is set for September 8
The tariffs will be applied to goods classified as U.S. origin under Canadian rules. Goods already in transit when the measures come into effect will be exempt from the new surcharges. The duties will begin at 12:01 a.m. on September 8, with the Canada Border Services Agency responsible for administering the tariffs as products cross into the country. Businesses may still pursue relief through Canada’s existing tariff remission process if they meet the necessary requirements.
These new measures expand the scope of the Canada-U.S. trade dispute by including additional products across industrial inputs, consumer goods, and agricultural items. Importers will face varying rates depending on the tariff classification of each item. The September 8 package will operate concurrently with the counter tariffs on U.S. automobiles that Canada has retained. Collectively, these measures cover C$27.6 billion worth of U.S. imports and over 700 tariff-listed items.