OTTAWA, ONTARIO / RankWire.AI / – Canada announced that starting September 8, it will implement tariffs of 15%, 25%, and 50% on C$27.6 billion worth of U.S. imports, according to Prime Minister Mark Carney. These new duties will cover over 700 tariff items and are designed to mirror the U.S. rates exactly, with the government stating that each product on the list will carry the same rate as the corresponding U.S. measure. The timing of the tariffs aligns with the enforcement of the latest U.S. tariffs that took effect on August 22, and Carney emphasized that the duties will be applied at the same rate as the U.S. measures for each respective product.
The scope of Canada’s countermeasures extends far beyond metals and vehicles, including a broad range of items such as household appliances, furniture, clothing, electronics, agricultural machinery, dairy products, pulp, and paper. Several steel and aluminum products are also subject to the highest tariff rate. Prior to unveiling this latest set of tariffs, Canada had already imposed countermeasures on certain U.S. goods, and duties on U.S. automobiles will continue to be in effect alongside these new tariffs.
The 50% tariff rate specifically targets certain steel and aluminum products, along with some furniture and apparel. A 25% duty will apply to specific appliances, dairy items, and metal derivatives, while other goods will face a 15% tariff according to the official schedule. These rates directly correspond to U.S. tariffs on similar Canadian exports. The Canadian government explained that the new list concentrates on sectors that are most directly impacted by U.S. trade actions.
Expansion of Tariff List Affects Major Industries
Additionally, Ottawa revealed a C$7.5 billion package aimed at providing new and expanded assistance to workers and businesses impacted by the tariffs. This package includes C$1.5 billion dedicated to the Regional Tariff Response Initiative, along with another C$500 million allocated to enhance business liquidity through the Business Development Bank of Canada’s Pivot to Grow program. Furthermore, C$2 billion has been set aside for the Canada Strong Diversification Fund, with the government lowering the minimum revenue requirement for certain aid programs to C$1 million.
An extra C$3.5 billion will be used to support workers and employers through various employment, training, and retention initiatives. These measures include temporary adjustments to Employment Insurance benefits and funding for workplace skills development. Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne stated that the counter tariffs will match the U.S. measures dollar for dollar and rate for rate. The federal government’s aid package supplements assistance programs already in place from previous rounds of U.S. tariffs, which reportedly provided nearly C$25 billion in support, according to Canadian officials.
The New Tariffs Take Effect on September 8
The tariffs will be imposed on goods classified as originating from the U.S. under Canadian origin rules. Items already in transit when the measures go into effect will not be subject to the new duties. The duties will begin at 12:01 a.m. on September 8, with the Canada Border Services Agency responsible for collecting tariffs as products arrive at the border. Companies still have the option to seek relief through Canada’s existing tariff remission process if they meet the relevant criteria.
These latest measures expand the scope of Canada’s trade dispute with the U.S., including new duties across key sectors such as industrial inputs, consumer goods, and agricultural products. Importers will face varying rates depending on the specific classification of each item. The September 8 implementation will operate alongside existing Canadian countermeasures on U.S. automobiles. Altogether, these actions target C$27.6 billion worth of U.S. imports and encompass more than 700 tariff items listed in the new schedule.