Canada has announced retaliatory tariffs of up to 50 per cent on about 700 American products, escalating its trade confrontation with the United States after negotiations between the two countries collapsed.
The new duties, which will take effect on September 8, will cover about $20bn worth of annual US imports and range from steel and aluminium to household appliances, electronics, railway equipment and fresh and frozen fish, The New York Times reported on Tuesday.
Canada’s government said the measures were designed primarily to protect Canadian workers, manufacturers and producers from the impact of new tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump, rather than to generate revenue.
The most significant measure will double Canada’s existing tariffs on American steel and aluminium to 50 per cent. Other products will face tariffs of 25 per cent and 15 per cent, with Canadian authorities targeting several categories of goods that mirror Canadian exports affected by US tariffs.
The list includes clothing, forestry products, tools, smartphones, dishwashers, washing machines, cookers, aluminium foil, locomotives and steel bridges.
