The United States announced on Tuesday an import ban on several alcoholic beverages, motorcycles, and dairy products from Canada effective September 29, escalating trade tensions between the two neighbours after retaliatory Canadian duties entered into force.
Retaliatory tariffs take force
Canadian tariffs against the United States took effect at midnight on Tuesday, targeting goods valued at $20 billion. The duties followed the breakdown of trade talks in the second half of August, when the two sides failed to reach a final trade agreement.
Negotiations between both nations collapsed in late August.
Dispute broadens to procurement
The White House broadened its response beyond consumer goods, as President Donald Trump took measures to exclude Canadian products from major, long-term government contracts because of an alleged lack of reciprocity.
Trump had also threatened on Monday in an online post to halt imports of aircraft manufactured by Canada’s Bombardier, signaling potential further restrictions on high-value trade between the two partners.
Source: The United States
