Canada-U.S. trade war: A timeline of Trump’s tariffs and Canada’s response
- On July 20, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a new 50% tariff on Canadian goods, including dairy, honey, essential oils, hockey equipment, and certain alcoholic beverages.
- The new tariffs are set to take effect on August 19 and will include some goods previously exempt under the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA).
- Canada, along with 59 other countries, faced additional tariffs following a forced labor investigation announced by U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in March.
- The announcement represents a further escalation in the ongoing trade war between the U.S. and Canada, which has involved multiple tariff changes and retaliations, with Canada now considered to be in a stronger position.
On July 20, U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to impose a new 50 per cent tariff on Canadian goods, including dairy, honey, essential oils, hockey equipment and several alcoholic beverages.
Currently, the new tariffs are set to take effect on Aug. 19 and, unlike previous tariffs, would include some goods previously exempted under the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA).
On Thursday, Canada, along with 59 other countries, was hit with additional new tariffs. These were imposed following a forced labour investigation launched in March, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer announced.
The announcement marked the latest escalation in more than a year and a half of shifting trade policies, as Trump has repeatedly imposed, suspended and revised tariffs. Canada has responded with retaliations and negotiations, and Prime Minister Mark Carney said Thursday that Canada is now “in a stronger position” than when the trade war started 18 months ago.
Below is a timeline of the key moments in the Canada-U.S. trade war.