Canada Retaliates Against US Tariffs: List of Products and Latest Import Duty Rates

The Canadian government has officially escalated pressure in the trade war with the United States. Ottawa announced the imposition of retaliatory tariffs ranging from 15%, 25%, to 50% on various commodities from the US. The policy is scheduled to take effect on 8 September.

Canadian Finance Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne stressed that the move was taken to match the tariff rates previously imposed by the administration of US President Donald Trump on Canadian products. Champagne described the situation as an unprecedented challenge to national economic stability.

“However, Canada will face this situation. I think what Canadians can see this morning is that we stand together,” Champagne said on Tuesday (25/8) local time.

The retaliatory tariff policy targets strategic sectors, from heavy industry to household consumer products. Overall, the list of affected goods covers approximately 7.3% of the total value of Canadian imports from the US based on 2024 trade data.

Facing the systemic impact of the trade war, the Canadian government has prepared an economic assistance package worth US5.4billion, orapproximately7.5billionCanadiandollars(equivalenttoRp86.4trillionatanassumedexchangerateofRp16, 000/US). The funds are allocated to protect companies and workers directly affected by US protectionist policies.

Canadian Industry Minister Melanie Joly called on the public to strengthen economic nationalism by supporting domestic products. She also stressed that Canada will not remain silent if Washington realises its threat to raise motor vehicle tariffs by up to 50% in 2027.

At the regional level, Ontario Premier Doug Ford reacted strongly by threatening to impose additional charges on electricity exports to the US as a form of further retaliation.

The tension threatens the economic relationship between the two highly integrated countries. Currently, the US is Canada’s largest trading partner, absorbing around 70% of the country’s total exports. Conversely, Ottawa’s move is a direct response to the latest US tariffs targeting 5.5% of Canada’s total exports to their territory.

Beyond economic issues, tensions have spread to the cultural sphere. There are concerns from the Canadian side regarding demands from US negotiators that are considered to threaten the use of the French language and the preservation of Quebec culture in future trade agreements.