Canada Slaps Tariffs of Up to 50% on US Goods, Risking Wider Trade War

Canada imposed tariffs of 15% to 50% on hundreds of US products on Tuesday, according to Bloomberg, as Prime Minister Mark Carney bets that standing up to President Donald Trump will eventually strengthen Ottawa's hand with its biggest trading partner. Carney's government raised the import tax on many US steel items to 50% from 25% and applied levies to consumer goods including motorcycles, cosmetics and cheese from 12:01 a.m. New York time. The measure will hit US exporters hardest in states such as Michigan and Ohio, which do heavy business with Canada and host closely fought races in November's midterm elections. It is a calculated risk for Carney, who a year ago removed many of the counter-tariffs his predecessor Justin Trudeau had put in place. Trump administration officials have repeatedly said they will not tolerate retaliation, noting that only Canada and China have used counter-tariffs, and have declined to specify how or when Trump might respond. Brian Clow, a former senior Canadian adviser on US relations under Trudeau, said the retaliatory tariffs are meant to make the trade war's cost real enough for American businesses and consumers that Washington sees an incentive to return to the table — adding that Canada wants the trade war to end, not to wage one. The clash follows the collapse of weeks of talks that had appeared close to a deal; Trump announced a preliminary agreement on Aug. 18, but it fell apart within days, prompting mutual recriminations. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent compared Canada to a "little yippy dog," while Trump called the currency imbalance "unacceptable" and threatened to bar sales of Bombardier jets in the US, despite the company's more than 2,800 US-based suppliers. US tariffs of 50% on about $20 billion of Canadian goods took effect Aug. 22, with Canada's counter-tariffs targeting a roughly equal amount. US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer has signaled more tariffs and even import bans are possible. Public opinion favors Carney's stance, with a Nanos Research poll for Bloomberg finding nearly three-quarters rated his handling of the trade file as good or very good. Oxford Economics estimates the combined effect of US tariffs, Canadian retaliation and related federal support will cut Canadian output by about 0.3% from baseline. After the talks collapsed, Trump said he would raise auto tariffs to 50% from 25% and impose a 50% rate on auto parts from Jan. 1, though he has not formally implemented them. Carney said his government seeks a "durable" agreement and is ready to deal when the US is, but will not sign unless Canada's automotive, steel and aluminum industries stay competitive. House Speaker Mike Johnson also called for talks to resume.