By Oluwakemi Kindness
U.S President, Donald Trump has imposed a 50% tariff on a broad range of goods imported from Canada, escalating trade tensions between the two neighbouring countries over what he described as Canada’s “unequal treatment” of American products.
The new tariffs target consumer goods such as wine, hockey sticks and a range of industrial products, including cement.
However, key Canadian exports such as energy, potash, critical minerals and fish have been exempted. The White House said the tariffs will take effect in 30 days.
Canadian Prime Minister, Mark Carney condemned the move, describing it as another unilateral trade action by Washington.
In a statement, Carney says Canada is prepared to “intensify” trade negotiations with the United States in the coming weeks while defending Canadian interests.
The latest measures come despite the existing Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (USMCA), with the new tariffs applying to covered goods whether or not they qualify under the regional free trade pact.
Carney argued that the US action violates the spirit of the agreement and also referred to recent “threats to Canadian sovereignty,” an apparent reference to Trump’s repeated remarks about making Canada America’s 51st state.
Trade relations between the two countries have remained strained since 2025, when Canada retaliated against earlier US tariffs by imposing a 25% levy on about C$30 billion worth of American goods.
Although Ottawa later eased some of those measures, tariffs on US vehicles, steel and aluminium remain in place.
The United States already imposes tariffs of between 15% and 50% on Canadian steel, aluminium and copper, as well as a 35% duty on Canadian softwood lumber and a 25% tariff on non-US parts used in vehicles.
Canada continues to apply 25% counter-tariffs on selected American steel, aluminium and vehicle imports.
The latest announcement follows another recent threat by President Trump to impose tariffs over wildfire smoke from Canada drifting into parts of the United States, underscoring the growing strain in economic and diplomatic relations between the two allies.
