US President Donald Trump has signed a proclamation amending the list of Canadian goods subject to additional duties of 50%.
The text of the document was published on the White House website.
The new rules will take effect from 30 October.
In July, the United States imposed additional duties on Canadian goods over what Washington described as Canada’s discriminatory tariff policy towards US cars and car parts. In August, the US side temporarily suspended these restrictions for three days while awaiting a resolution. However, Canada withdrew from its commitments and ended the talks, after which the duties were reinstated.
Following recommendations from officials, Trump decided to adjust the list of goods. Some Canadian products will be removed from the scope of the 50% duty, while for other Canadian products the duty will, on the contrary, be introduced. The changes will apply in addition to existing import restrictions.
- It was previously reported that Trump would scrap some tariffs for Canada to help Republican Senator Susan Collins in the election.
- The duties hit residents of the states of Maine, Michigan and New Hampshire particularly hard. The economic impact has spilled over into three highly competitive Senate races in those states. Collins is seeking re-election to the Senate from a state where Donald Trump lost the 2024 presidential election. Her Democratic opponent, Troy Jackson, has made the tariff issue the centrepiece of his campaign.
- Therefore, the changes in tariff policy will cover products used in agriculture, including corrugated paper boxes and crates; plastic boxes, crates and cases; refrigeration and freezing equipment; purification equipment; and certain types of machinery.