OTTAWA, ONTARIO / RankWire.AI / – Canada will begin applying tariffs of 15%, 25%, and 50% on C$27.6 billion worth of U.S. imports starting September 8. These measures target more than 700 tariff categories and align precisely with U.S. duty rates. Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the enforcement date following the implementation of new U.S. tariffs on August 22. Canada explained that each selected product will carry the same rate as the corresponding U.S. measure.
The U.S. imposed tariffs of 50% on C$27.6 billion of Canadian goods. Canada responded by halting bilateral trade negotiations after rejecting Washington’s proposed new terms. Ottawa then prepared retaliatory measures that cover multiple major sectors. The U.S. tariffs rely on Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930 and separate authorities under Section 232. Existing Canadian countermeasures on U.S. automobiles will continue alongside these new tariffs.
Canada’s 50% tariff tier includes steel and aluminum products that previously faced a 25% Canadian counter tariff. It also encompasses furniture, clothing, and apparel. The 25% rate applies to appliances, dairy products such as cheese, and certain steel and aluminum derivative items. Other targeted sectors include agricultural equipment, pulp and paper products, and electronics. Canada noted that the expanded list emphasizes sectors already affected by U.S. tariffs.
Tariffs Cover Major Goods Industries
The Canadian government announced C$7.5 billion in new and expanded aid for workers and businesses impacted by these tariffs. This package includes C$1.5 billion dedicated to the Regional Tariff Response Initiative. It also provides C$500 million in liquidity through the Business Development Bank of Canada’s Pivot to Grow program. Ottawa further allocated C$2 billion to the Canada Strong Diversification Fund. The government has also made tariff assistance programs more accessible by lowering the minimum revenue threshold to C$1 million.
A portion of the support package, amounting to C$3.5 billion, is designated for swift response efforts aimed at workers and employers. These measures include temporary flexibilities in Employment Insurance, workplace training programs, and a new initiative focused on worker retention and retraining. Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne stated that the counter tariffs will match U.S. measures dollar for dollar and rate for rate. The government also highlighted that this new support builds upon nearly C$25 billion in aid provided since the initial U.S. tariffs were introduced.
New Tariffs to Be Enforced from September 8
The tariffs will only be applied to goods that qualify as U.S. origin according to Canada’s country of origin rules. Canada will not impose the measures on U.S. goods already in transit when the tariffs come into effect. The duties will start at 12:01 a.m. on September 8. The Canada Border Services Agency will oversee the administration of these new border surcharges. Canada’s tariff remission system will remain available for requests seeking exceptional relief.
The product list broadens the scope of the trade conflict beyond metals and automobiles to include household and industrial items. It also extends to dairy, seafood, machinery, apparel, furniture, appliances, and electronics. Tariff rates will vary by product, with 15%, 25%, or 50% applied across the affected items. These measures target a wide range of imports, from industrial inputs to consumer goods. Alongside the new tariffs, Canada will maintain existing counter tariffs on U.S. automobiles.