OTTAWA, ONTARIO / RankWire.AI / – Canada will impose tariffs of 15%, 25% and 50% on C$27.6 billion of U.S. imports starting September 8. The measures cover more than 700 tariff items and match U.S. duties rate for rate. Prime Minister Mark Carney set the implementation date after new U.S. tariffs took effect on August 22. Canada said each selected product will carry the same rate as the corresponding U.S. measure.
The U.S. action imposed 50% tariffs on C$27.6 billion of Canadian goods. Canada suspended bilateral trade negotiations after rejecting new terms proposed by Washington. Ottawa then prepared countermeasures covering goods across several major sectors. The U.S. measures rely on Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930 and separate Section 232 authorities. Existing Canadian counter tariffs on U.S. automobiles will remain in place alongside the new measures.
Canada’s 50% tariff tier includes steel and aluminum products that previously faced a 25% Canadian counter tariff. It also covers furniture, clothing and apparel. The 25% tier includes appliances, dairy products such as cheese, and certain steel and aluminum derivative products. Other targeted sectors include agricultural equipment, pulp and paper products, and electronics. Canada said the wider list focuses on sectors already affected by U.S. tariffs.
Tariffs extend across major goods sectors
The federal government also announced C$7.5 billion in new and expanded support for workers and businesses affected by tariffs. The package includes C$1.5 billion for the Regional Tariff Response Initiative. It adds C$500 million in liquidity through the Business Development Bank of Canada’s Pivot to Grow program. Ottawa also allocated C$2 billion to the Canada Strong Diversification Fund. The government broadened access to existing tariff programs by lowering the minimum revenue requirement to C$1 million.
The package sets aside C$3.5 billion for rapid response support for workers and employers. Those measures include temporary Employment Insurance flexibilities, workplace training and a new worker retention and retraining program. Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne said the counter tariffs will match the U.S. measures dollar for dollar and rate for rate. The government said the new package builds on nearly C$25 billion in support provided since earlier U.S. tariffs began.
New duties take effect September 8
The new tariffs will apply only to goods that qualify as U.S. origin under Canada’s country of origin rules. Canada will not apply the measures to U.S. goods already in transit when the tariffs take effect. The duties will begin at 12:01 a.m. on September 8. The Canada Border Services Agency will administer the new surtaxes at the border. Canada’s tariff remission framework will remain available for requests seeking exceptional relief.
The product list extends the trade dispute beyond metals and automobiles into household and industrial goods. It also reaches dairy, seafood, machinery, apparel, furniture, appliances and electronics. The tariff rates vary by product, with 15%, 25% or 50% applying across the listed items. The measures cover imports ranging from industrial inputs to finished consumer products. Canada’s September 8 tariffs will operate alongside existing counter tariffs that Ottawa has kept on U.S. automobiles.