Canada’s retaliatory tariffs on goods from the United States will come into force on September 8, the Tuesday after the country’s Labour Day.
Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the decision over the weekend after last-minute bilateral trade negotiations between Ottawa and Washington collapsed.
“Americans asked too much, and they offered too little,” the premier stated, arguing that Canadian exports to the U.S. lower costs for American families.
Carney said Canada was “pragmatic, patient, and persistent” during the talks and will now match the U.S. tariffs “dollar for dollar” to protect workers, farmers, families, and businesses.
The United States’ 50% duty, which took effect on August 22, targets goods totaling 5.5% of Canada’s total exports and will affect approximately $20 billion worth of Canadian goods.
Items affected include alcohol, dairy products, wine, cement, clothing, plywood, aluminum, steel, and hockey equipment. Ottawa will release the details of its new tariff measures in two weeks.
President Donald Trump had said Canada wanted the “benefits of being a State, without being one,” while U.S. negotiators claimed they offered tariff cuts on lumber and steel, but Canada rejected the terms.
Responding, Carney said the new U.S. duty was “designed to hurt us and divide us,” saying the nation will chart a new course by building strong at home and diversifying trading relationships abroad.
The leader further told citizens that Washington’s action was a miscalculation. “We have been under no illusions,” he added. “We recognized from the start that America has changed.”