The United States has banned a wide range of Canadian products, including alcoholic beverages, motorcycles and dairy goods, in a sharp escalation of the trade war between the two neighbours .
President Donald Trump signed a series of executive orders on Tuesday, saying that Canada is “discriminating” against the US . The import bans, which take effect on September 29, came hours after Canada’s retaliatory tariffs on American goods came into force .
The sweeping ban covers most alcohol products, including beer, wine, cider, whisky, rum, gin, vodka, brandy and tequila . Also banned are motorcycles, mopeds, molasses and whey products . Products already imported but not cleared by September 29 will be subject to new 50 per cent tariffs .
In addition, more Canadian goods have been added to the list of products facing 50 per cent tariffs starting September 15. These include mattresses, motorboats, golf carts, lamps, bamboo furniture and various aluminium and iron products .
The White House said the measures were in response to Canada blocking US businesses while allowing products from other countries . President Trump also ordered the General Services Administration to remove Canadian products from federal purchasing catalogues worth more than $50 billion annually unless Canada grants American businesses fair access to its public contracts .
“Everybody knows that Canada doesn’t let our Great Dairy Farmers sell into the Canadian Market,” Trump said in a social media post. “No reciprocity – no access!” .
The escalating conflict began after several rounds of trade talks collapsed in late August . The US had previously imposed 50 per cent tariffs on about $20 billion worth of Canadian goods, and Canada responded with dollar-for-dollar retaliatory tariffs that took effect Tuesday .
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said the country’s decision to pivot away from the US “will come at a cost” . “There’s always a cost to action. But it doesn’t come close to the cost of standing still,” he said in a video address .
Trade expert Deborah Elms from the Hinrich Foundation said the import ban could have a “strong” impact on Canadian businesses, affecting around $1 billion worth of goods . However, she noted that the two sides have not scheduled any new negotiations.
International trade lawyer Barry Appleton described the US move as “sort of like the thermal nuclear weapon has been brought out,” suggesting the Trump administration is trying to break Canada’s resolve in the trade war .
The trade dispute has also spilled beyond tariffs. In August, Trump ordered Lake Ontario to be renamed “Lake America,” sparking anger in Canada . Some Canadians have led a boycott of US alcohol and other products .
