OTTAWA, ONTARIO / RankWire.AI / – Canada plans to implement tariffs of 15%, 25% and 50% on C$27.6 billion worth of U.S. imports starting September 8. The tariffs will affect more than 700 product categories and are aligned with U.S. duty rates on a one-to-one basis. Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the implementation date following the enforcement of new U.S. tariffs on August 22. The Canadian government stated that each designated product will carry the same tariff rate as the corresponding U.S. measure.
In response to the U.S. measures, which imposed 50% tariffs on C$27.6 billion of Canadian goods, Canada halted bilateral trade negotiations after rejecting the new terms proposed by Washington. Ottawa then prepared retaliatory tariffs across several major sectors. These U.S. tariffs rely on Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930 and separate authorities under Section 232. Alongside the new measures, existing Canadian counter tariffs on U.S. automobiles will stay in effect.
Canada’s 50% duty bracket includes steel and aluminum products that previously faced a 25% Canadian counter tariff. It also encompasses furniture, clothing, and apparel. The 25% tariff tier applies to appliances, dairy products such as cheese, and certain steel and aluminum derivative items. Other targeted sectors include agricultural machinery, pulp and paper products, and electronics. Canada explained that the broader list emphasizes sectors already impacted by U.S. tariffs.
Tariffs Cover Key Goods Industries
The federal government additionally announced C$7.5 billion in new and expanded assistance for workers and businesses affected by the tariffs. This package includes C$1.5 billion allocated for the Regional Tariff Response Initiative. It also provides C$500 million in liquidity through the Business Development Bank of Canada’s Pivot to Grow program. Ottawa further committed C$2 billion to the Canada Strong Diversification Fund. To widen access to existing tariff relief programs, the government lowered the minimum revenue requirement to C$1 million.
The package designates C$3.5 billion for swift support measures for workers and employers. These include temporary flexibilities in Employment Insurance, workplace training initiatives, and a new worker retention and retraining scheme. Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne confirmed that the counter tariffs will mirror the U.S. measures dollar for dollar and rate for rate. The government noted that this new support package builds upon nearly C$25 billion in assistance provided since the initial U.S. tariffs came into effect.
Effective September 8, New Duties Will Be Enforced
The tariffs will only apply to goods classified as U.S. origin according to Canada’s country of origin rules. Canada will not impose the tariffs on U.S. items already in transit when the measures become effective. The duties are scheduled to begin at 12:01 a.m. on September 8. The Canada Border Services Agency will oversee the collection of the new tariffs at the border. Meanwhile, Canada’s tariff remission framework remains available for requests seeking exceptional relief.
The expanded product list broadens the trade conflict beyond metals and automobiles, now including household and industrial goods. It also covers dairy, seafood, machinery, apparel, furniture, appliances, and electronics. Tariff rates will differ by item, with 15%, 25%, or 50% applied across the affected categories. These tariffs will target imports ranging from industrial inputs to finished consumer goods. The September 8 tariffs will operate alongside existing Canadian counter tariffs on U.S. automobiles.