OTTAWA, ONTARIO / RankWire.AI / – Canada will introduce tariffs of 15%, 25%, and 50% on C$27.6 billion worth of U.S. imports beginning September 8. The measure encompasses more than 700 tariff classifications and aligns with U.S. duty rates on a one-to-one basis. Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the implementation date following the enforcement of new U.S. tariffs on August 22. Canada stated that each designated product will carry the same rate as the corresponding U.S. measure.
The United States imposed 50% tariffs on C$27.6 billion of Canadian goods. Subsequently, Canada suspended its bilateral trade negotiations after declining the new terms proposed by Washington. In response, Ottawa prepared countermeasures targeting various major sectors. These U.S. measures rely on Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930 and separate authorities under Section 232. Canadian counter tariffs on U.S. automobiles will continue alongside the new tariffs.
The 50% tariff tier includes steel and aluminum items that previously faced a 25% Canadian counter tariff. It also covers furniture, clothing, and apparel. Meanwhile, the 25% rate applies to appliances, dairy products such as cheese, and certain steel and aluminum derivative items. Additional targeted sectors include agricultural equipment, pulp and paper, and electronics. Canada indicated that the expanded list emphasizes sectors already impacted by U.S. tariffs.
Tariffs Cover Major Industrial and Consumer Goods
The federal government additionally announced C$7.5 billion in new and expanded support measures for workers and businesses affected by 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 allocated C$2 billion to the Canada Strong Diversification Fund, while making tariff programs more accessible by reducing the minimum revenue requirement to C$1 million.
The support package allocates C$3.5 billion for rapid response initiatives aimed at workers and employers. These include temporary flexibilities in Employment Insurance, workplace training, and a new program focused on worker retention and retraining. Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne stated that the counter tariffs will mirror the U.S. measures dollar for dollar and rate for rate. The government highlighted that this new support complements nearly C$25 billion provided since the start of earlier U.S. tariffs.
Effective September 8, New Duties Will Be Enforced
The tariffs will only apply to goods qualifying as U.S. origin according to Canada’s rules for country of origin. Goods already in transit at the moment tariffs take effect will not be subjected to the new measures. The duties are scheduled to commence at 12:01 a.m. on September 8. The Canada Border Services Agency will oversee the enforcement of these new surtaxes at the border. Additionally, Canada’s tariff remission framework will remain available for requests seeking exceptional relief.
This expanded product list extends the trade dispute beyond metals and automobiles into household and industrial sectors. It covers dairy, seafood, machinery, clothing, furniture, appliances, and electronics. Tariff rates are set at 15%, 25%, or 50%, depending on the product. These measures will impact imports from industrial inputs to consumer goods. The tariffs set to go into effect on September 8 will operate alongside existing counter tariffs on U.S. automobiles maintained by Ottawa.