Trump says 50% tariffs coming to some Canadian products
Published 4:14 pm Monday, July 20, 2026 U.S. President Donald Trump is again threatening tariffs against Canada. Trump signed three proclamations, according to the White House on Monday (July 20), that would impose additional 50-per-cent tariffs on certain Canadian goods “in response to Canada’s discriminatory treatment of American products.” The latest tariffs fall under Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930 and include products ranging from wine to hockey sticks to cement. The tariffs are set to take effect 30 days after signing. Section 338, the White House says, allows the president to impose tariffs when a country “disadvantages U.S. exporters relative to the exports of another country to offset the disadvantage or burden on U.S. commerce.” The White House pointed to Canada imposing certain tariffs and quotas on cars imported to Canada from the U.S., but not on imports from other countries. It also pointed to all but two Canadian provinces and territories – which includes B.C. – have stopped the purchase, distribution and selling of American alcohol products, but not on other countries. The White House also adds the tariffs apply to all covered goods regardless of whether a good originates under CUSMA, the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement. In a statement, Prime Minister Mark Carney said this move was the “latest in a series of unilateral U.S. trade actions that began with the U.S. imposing a series of tariffs in direct violation” of CUSMA, specifically pointing to the tariffs on the auto sector. “Canada believes in the benefits of free and fair trade, as evidenced by our new government signing more than 20 new economic and security partnerships,” he said. “This trade dispute has raised costs for families, particularly in the U.S. Canada stands ready to engage intensively to address outstanding issues with the U.S. to the mutual benefit of our citizens.” Carney said that over the past 18 months, Canada has made a “series of detailed and comprehensive proposals to resolve this dispute and to modernise CUSMA.” He added his government stands “ready proposals to resolve this dispute and to modernise CUSMA.”