OTTAWA, ONTARIO / RankWire.AI / – Canada is set to implement new tariffs of 15%, 25% and 50% on C$27.6 billion worth of U.S. imports beginning September 8, according to Prime Minister Mark Carney. These measures will apply to over 700 tariff items and are designed to mirror U.S. tariffs on a rate-for-rate basis. Carney announced the start date after the U.S. imposed new tariffs on August 22. Canada confirmed that each selected product will be subject to the same rate as the corresponding U.S. measure.
The scope of Canada’s countermeasures extends far beyond metals and automobiles. The list includes household appliances, furniture, clothing, electronics, agricultural equipment, dairy products, pulp and paper. Several steel and aluminum items will also be subjected to the highest tariff level. Prior to this announcement, Canada had already levied retaliatory tariffs on certain U.S. goods. The existing Canadian duties on U.S. automobiles will remain in effect alongside the new tariffs.
The 50% tariff bracket applies to selected steel and aluminum products, along with some furniture and apparel items. A 25% rate will be imposed on specific appliances, dairy items, and metal derivatives. The remaining products will face a 15% tariff, aligned with the published schedule. Each tariff rate corresponds directly to the U.S. duties on comparable Canadian exports. According to the Government of Canada, the updated list emphasizes sectors directly impacted by U.S. trade actions.
Tariff expansion targets major industries
In addition, Ottawa announced C$7.5 billion in new and expanded support measures for workers and businesses affected by the tariffs. This package includes C$1.5 billion allocated for the Regional Tariff Response Initiative, along with another C$500 million to bolster business liquidity through the Business Development Bank of Canada’s Pivot to Grow program. Furthermore, C$2 billion has been designated for the Canada Strong Diversification Fund. Officials also lowered the revenue threshold for certain aid programs to C$1 million.
An additional C$3.5 billion is intended to support employment, training, and retention efforts. These initiatives feature temporary flexibility in Employment Insurance and funding for workplace training. Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne stated that the counter tariffs will mirror U.S. measures dollar for dollar and rate for rate. This federal support builds on assistance programs introduced during earlier rounds of U.S. tariffs, which Canada estimates provided nearly C$25 billion in aid.
Tariffs to be effective starting September 8
The new tariffs will apply to goods classified as U.S. origin under Canadian rules. Items already in transit when the measures come into effect will be exempt from the new surtaxes. The duties will start at 12:01 a.m. on September 8, with the Canada Border Services Agency managing the collection as products enter Canada. Businesses are still able to seek relief through Canada’s existing tariff remission processes if they meet the relevant requirements.
This latest set of measures broadens the scope of products covered by the Canada-U.S. trade dispute. It now includes industrial inputs, consumer goods, and agricultural products. Importers will encounter varying rates depending on each item’s tariff classification. The September 8 implementation will run concurrently with the existing Canadian counter tariffs on U.S. automobiles. In total, these measures encompass C$27.6 billion of U.S. imports and more than 700 tariff items listed for duties.