OTTAWA, ONTARIO / RankWire.AI / – Canada announced plans to implement 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 new measures encompass over 700 tariff items, aligning Canadian duties with U.S. rates on a one-to-one basis. The government set the effective date following the enforcement of new U.S. tariffs on August 22. Canada clarified that each selected product will carry a tariff rate equivalent to the corresponding U.S. measure.
The scope of Canadian countermeasures extends well beyond metals and automobiles, including household appliances, furniture, clothing, electronics, agricultural machinery, dairy products, pulp, and paper. Several steel and aluminum items will also be subject to the highest tariff rate. Prior to announcing this latest package, Canada had already imposed retaliatory tariffs on some U.S. goods. Existing duties on U.S. automobiles will stay in effect concurrently with the new tariffs.
The 50% tariff bracket applies to specific steel, aluminum products, and certain furniture and clothing items. A 25% duty will be levied on selected appliances, dairy items, and metal derivatives. Other goods will face a 15% tariff according to the published schedule. Each rate reflects the U.S. duty applied to comparable Canadian exports. The Canadian government stated that the new list emphasizes sectors directly impacted by U.S. trade actions.
Tariff list broadens across key sectors
Ottawa also unveiled a new assistance package totaling C$7.5 billion aimed at workers and businesses impacted by these tariffs. Included in this package is C$1.5 billion allocated for the Regional Tariff Response Initiative. An additional C$500 million will support business liquidity through the Business Development Bank of Canada’s Pivot to Grow program. Furthermore, C$2 billion has been designated for the Canada Strong Diversification Fund. Authorities have lowered the minimum revenue requirement for certain support programs to C$1 million.
A further C$3.5 billion is earmarked for workforce support via employment, training, and retention initiatives. These measures include temporary flexibilities in Employment Insurance and funding for workplace training programs. Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne stated that the counter tariffs will mirror U.S. measures dollar for dollar and rate for rate. This federal aid package complements previous support programs introduced during earlier rounds of U.S. tariffs, which Canada reports have provided nearly C$25 billion in assistance.
Implementation of new tariffs scheduled for September 8
The new tariffs will apply to goods classified as originating from the U.S. under Canadian rules. Products already in transit when the measures come into effect will not be subject to the new duties. The tariffs will be implemented at 12:01 a.m. on September 8, with the Canada Border Services Agency responsible for their administration as products cross the border. Companies may still apply for relief through Canada’s existing tariff remission procedures when they meet the necessary criteria.
These recent measures expand the scope of the Canada-U.S. trade dispute to include a broader range of products across industrial inputs, consumer goods, and agricultural items. Importers will encounter varying rates depending on each item’s tariff classification. The September 8 tariffs will run alongside the existing Canadian counter tariffs on U.S. automobiles. Collectively, these measures cover C$27.6 billion in U.S. imports and over 700 tariff-listed items.