A wide range of Canadian products is now subject to a 50% tariff upon entry into the United States. The measures, which took effect on Saturday, cover more than 550 categories of goods and are projected to impact about $20 billion in Canadian exports. This figure represents roughly 5% of the $381.92 billion in products Canada shipped to the US in the previous year.
Items affected include natural honey, plant bulbs such as those for tulips and lilies, certain fresh cut flowers, and vegetable seeds. Alcoholic beverages including beer, vermouth, and cider appear on the list, along with animal products such as horsehair, tortoise shells, and antlers. Household and construction-related goods face the levy as well, covering furniture knobs, wallpaper, lighting fixtures, kitchenware, paints, varnishes, vinyl flooring, and various plywood sheets.
Sports equipment is included, encompassing ice skates, golf gear, fishing rods, and hockey sticks. Personal care products such as perfumes, makeup, and manicure preparations are affected, as are suitcases, bags, gloves, and coats. Toys, Christmas decorations, digital cameras, recording equipment, smartphones, video game consoles, envelopes, cigarette paper, and certain tissue products also fall under the new duties.
The tariffs were imposed under a provision of a 1930 law that allows import taxes of up to 50% on goods from countries deemed to have discriminated against US businesses. The administration cited Canadian policies related to automobiles, alcohol, and dairy as justification, though the final list extends across a diverse set of consumer and industrial items.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that retaliatory measures would begin on September 8, matching the US actions dollar for dollar. Targeted US products are expected to include steel, dairy, appliances, agricultural equipment, pulp and paper, and electronics. Further details were to follow.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford indicated that additional options remained under consideration, including potential restrictions on electricity and critical minerals if the dispute escalates. The US side has also signaled possible increases in tariffs on Canadian vehicles, trucks, automotive parts, and steel starting in January 2027.
Cars, auto parts, and energy products were excluded from the latest round of tariffs, though these sectors remain central points of friction. The measures are expected to raise costs for importers, with at least some of those increases likely passed on to consumers across a variety of everyday goods.