OTTAWA, ONTARIO / RankWire.AI / – Canada will start imposing tariffs of 15%, 25% and 50% on C$27.6 billion worth of U.S. imports beginning September 8. These measures cover more than 700 tariff classifications and align with U.S. duty rates. Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the implementation date after the U.S. introduced new tariffs on August 22. Canada stated that each selected product will carry the same tariff rate as the corresponding U.S. measure.
The U.S. imposed a 50% tariff on C$27.6 billion of Canadian exports. Following this, Canada halted bilateral trade talks after rejecting Washington’s proposed new terms. In response, Ottawa prepared countermeasures targeting goods in several key industries. The U.S. tariffs are based on Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930 and Section 232 authorities separately. Canadian retaliatory tariffs on U.S. automobiles will continue alongside these new measures.
Canada’s 50% tariff tier includes steel and aluminum products previously subjected to a 25% Canadian counter tariff. It also encompasses furniture, apparel, and clothing. The 25% tier covers appliances, dairy products such as cheese, and certain steel and aluminum derivatives. Other sectors targeted include agricultural equipment, pulp and paper, and electronics. Canada explained that the broader list emphasizes sectors already impacted by U.S. tariffs.
Tariffs Impact Major Sectors of Goods
The government also announced C$7.5 billion in new and expanded aid for workers and businesses affected by the tariffs. This package includes C$1.5 billion for the Regional Tariff Response Initiative, along with 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 and lowered the minimum revenue requirement for existing tariff programs to C$1 million, expanding access.
The total support package allocates C$3.5 billion for quick-response assistance, including temporary Employment Insurance flexibilities, workplace training, and a new worker retention and retraining initiative. Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne confirmed that the counter tariffs will mirror U.S. measures dollar for dollar and rate for rate. The government stated that this new effort builds upon nearly C$25 billion in aid already provided since U.S. tariffs began earlier.
Tariffs to Take Effect on September 8
The tariffs will only apply to goods classified as U.S. origin under Canada’s origin rules. U.S. goods already in transit when tariffs commence will not be affected. Duties will start at 12:01 a.m. on September 8, with the Canada Border Services Agency overseeing their enforcement. Canada’s tariff remission process remains available for requests seeking special exemptions.
The product list broadens the trade conflict beyond metals and automobiles to include household and industrial goods, such as dairy, seafood, machinery, furniture, appliances, and electronics. Tariff rates vary from 15%, 25%, to 50%, applying to a wide range of imports from industrial materials to consumer products. These tariffs will operate alongside existing Canadian countermeasures on U.S. automobiles.