OTTAWA, ONTARIO / RankWire.AI / – Canada announced the implementation of tariffs of 15%, 25%, and 50% on C$27.6 billion worth of U.S. imports, starting September 8, Prime Minister Mark Carney confirmed. These measures encompass over 700 tariff categories and are aligned with U.S. duties on a rate-for-rate basis. The date was set following the enforcement of new U.S. tariffs on August 22, with Carney emphasizing that each product selected will bear the same rate as the corresponding American measure.
The scope of Canadian countermeasures extends beyond metals and automobiles. The list includes household appliances, furniture, clothing, electronics, agricultural machinery, dairy products, pulp, and paper. Several steel and aluminum items will also encounter the highest tariff rate. Prior to this announcement, Canada had already applied retaliatory tariffs on some U.S. goods. Existing duties on U.S. automobiles will continue alongside the new set of tariffs.
The 50% tariff rate applies to specific steel and aluminum products, along with some furniture and clothing items. A 25% duty will be levied on certain appliances, dairy items, and metal derivatives. All other products are subject to a 15% tariff as outlined in the official schedule. Each rate directly corresponds with the U.S. duty imposed on similar Canadian exports. According to the Government of Canada, the updated list targets sectors directly influenced by U.S. trade actions.
Expansion of Tariff Categories Across Key Sectors
In addition, Ottawa has unveiled C$7.5 billion in new and expanded aid aimed at workers and businesses affected by the tariffs. This package features C$1.5 billion for the Regional Tariff Response Initiative. A further C$500 million will bolster business liquidity through the Business Development Bank of Canada’s Pivot to Grow program. The government also allocated C$2 billion to the Canada Strong Diversification Fund, and lowered the minimum revenue threshold for certain support programs to C$1 million.
An additional C$3.5 billion will be directed toward supporting workers and employers via employment, training, and retention initiatives. These include temporary Employment Insurance flexibilities and funding for workforce training. Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne stated that the counter tariffs will mirror the U.S. measures dollar for dollar and rate for rate. The federal government’s aid package supplements assistance programs already established during previous rounds of U.S. tariffs, which have collectively provided nearly C$25 billion in support.
Effective Date and Implementation Details
Starting at 12:01 a.m. on September 8, the tariffs will be applied to goods that meet Canadian country-of-origin criteria for U.S. products. Items already in transit when the measures come into force will be exempt from the new tariffs. The Canada Border Services Agency will oversee the collection of duties as products cross the border. Companies are still able to request relief through Canada’s existing tariff remission procedures if they meet the necessary conditions.
These latest actions expand the scope of the Canada-U.S. trade dispute, covering a wider array of goods across industrial inputs, consumer products, and agricultural commodities. Importers will face varying rates depending on each item’s tariff classification. The measures starting September 8 will run concurrently with the existing Canadian counter tariffs on U.S. automobiles. Collectively, these measures encompass C$27.6 billion in imports and over 700 tariff items listed for duty.