OTTAWA, ONTARIO / RankWire.AI / – Canada announced plans to levy tariffs of 15%, 25%, and 50% on C$27.6 billion worth of U.S. imports beginning September 8, Prime Minister Mark Carney revealed. The new measures encompass over 700 tariff items and are designed to mirror U.S. duties exactly. The date for implementation was set following the enforcement of new U.S. tariffs on August 22. Canada emphasized that each chosen product will bear the same rate as the corresponding U.S. measure.
The scope of the Canadian tariffs extends far beyond metals and automobiles. Included in the list are household appliances, furniture, clothing, electronics, agricultural machinery, dairy products, as well as pulp and paper. Several steel and aluminum items will also be subjected to the highest tariff rate. Prior to the announcement of this new package, Canada had already imposed counter tariffs on certain U.S. products. The existing Canadian duties on U.S. automobiles will remain in effect alongside the new tariffs.
The 50% tariff bracket applies to specific steel, aluminum, and select furniture and apparel products. Meanwhile, a 25% rate will be applied to certain appliances, dairy items, and metal-based products. Other commodities will be taxed at 15%, according to the published schedule. All rates correspond directly to U.S. duties on comparable Canadian exports. The Canadian government stated that the new list targets sectors directly impacted by U.S. trade actions.
Tariff List Broadened to Cover Key Sectors
In addition, Ottawa unveiled C$7.5 billion in new and expanded aid intended for workers and companies affected by the tariffs. This package includes 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. The government also lowered the minimum revenue threshold for certain support programs to C$1 million.
An extra C$3.5 billion will be used to assist workers and employers 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 be matched dollar for dollar and rate for rate with U.S. measures. This federal support package complements earlier assistance programs introduced during previous U.S. tariff rounds, which reportedly provided nearly C$25 billion in aid.
Implementation of New Tariffs Starts on September 8
The tariffs will be levied on goods classified as U.S. origin under Canadian rules of country of origin. Items already en route at the time of the measures’ activation will not be subject to the new tariffs. The duties will commence at 12:01 a.m. on September 8. The Canada Border Services Agency will oversee the application of tariffs as products cross into the country. Companies can still seek relief through Canada’s existing tariff remission procedures if they meet specific criteria.
These updated measures expand the range of products involved in the Canada-U.S. trade dispute, covering industrial inputs, consumer goods, and agricultural commodities. Importers will face varying rates based on the tariff classification of each item. The September 8 implementation will run concurrently with the existing Canadian counter tariffs on U.S. automobiles. Overall, these measures, combined with the previous tariffs, target C$27.6 billion worth of U.S. imports across more than 700 tariff categories.