OTTAWA, ONTARIO / RankWire.AI / – Canada announced plans to implement tariffs of 15%, 25%, and 50% on C$27.6 billion worth of U.S. imports beginning September 8, Prime Minister Mark Carney confirmed. The measures target over 700 tariff items, aligning U.S. duties dollar for dollar. Carney set the effective date following the enforcement of new U.S. tariffs on August 22. Canada clarified that each selected product will carry a tariff rate identical to the corresponding U.S. measure.
The scope of Canadian tariffs extends beyond metals and vehicles, including household appliances, furniture, clothing, electronics, agricultural machinery, dairy products, pulp, and paper. Several steel and aluminum items will also face the highest 50% duty. Prior to this announcement, Canada had already imposed retaliatory tariffs on certain U.S. goods, and existing duties on U.S. automobiles will stay in place alongside the new measures.
The 50% tariff bracket covers selected steel and aluminum products, along with some furniture and clothing. A 25% rate will apply to specific appliances, dairy goods, and metal derivatives, while other items will face a 15% tariff per the published schedule. Each rate corresponds directly to the U.S. duty on comparable Canadian exports. Canada’s government stated the updated list emphasizes sectors most impacted by U.S. trade actions.
Tariff coverage expands across vital sectors
Ottawa revealed C$7.5 billion in additional support for workers and businesses impacted by the tariffs, including C$1.5 billion for the Regional Tariff Response Initiative. An extra C$500 million will help bolster business liquidity through the Business Development Bank of Canada’s Pivot to Grow program. Additionally, C$2 billion has been allocated to the Canada Strong Diversification Fund. The government lowered the minimum revenue threshold for certain support programs to C$1 million.
Another C$3.5 billion will aid workers and employers via employment, training, and retention initiatives, including temporary Employment Insurance flexibilities and workplace training funding. Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne emphasized that the counter tariffs will mirror U.S. measures dollar for dollar and rate for rate. This package complements earlier Canadian support programs introduced during previous U.S. tariff rounds, which totaled nearly C$25 billion in assistance.
Tariffs set to take effect on September 8
The new duties will apply to goods classified as U.S. origin under Canadian rules. Items already in transit when the measures come into force will be exempt. The tariffs will commence at 12:01 a.m. on September 8, with the Canada Border Services Agency overseeing their enforcement as products enter Canada. Businesses can still apply for relief through Canada’s existing tariff remission procedures if they meet the relevant requirements.
These measures broaden the scope of the Canada-U.S. trade dispute, covering industrial inputs, consumer products, and agricultural goods. Importers will face varying rates depending on each product’s tariff classification. The September 8 package will run concurrently with Canadian counter tariffs on U.S. automobiles. Overall, the measures target C$27.6 billion in U.S. imports and over 700 tariff items listed.