US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order imposing new 50% tariffs on a wide range of Canadian goods, citing what his administration described as unfair and discriminatory trade practices against American products.
The new tariffs, which will take effect in 30 days, will apply to products including wine, hockey sticks, cement, and several other Canadian exports. The White House said the measures were introduced under Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930, which allows the US to act against countries deemed to be discriminating against American commerce.
According to the White House, the decision follows concerns over Canada’s treatment of US alcohol, automobile, and dairy products.
However, the administration clarified that the new duties will not apply to energy products, potash, or goods already subject to existing sector-specific tariffs.
Notably, the tariffs will affect products covered under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), marking a significant shift from previous tariff policies that largely exempted goods traded under the North American free trade pact.
The latest move is expected to further heighten trade tensions between Washington and Ottawa, coming just days after President Trump threatened additional tariffs over smoke from Canadian wildfires that drifted into parts of the United States.
