U.S. President Donald Trump has pulled the trigger on his 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian goods, disrupting one of the world’s largest bilateral trade relationships and effectively initiating a trade war. For people on both sides of the border, this could send prices skyrocketing.
All Canadian goods entering the U.S. will be subject to a 25 percent tariff, except for Canadian energy products, which will face a lower rate of 10 per cent.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has responded to the “unjustified” levies in kind, announcing retaliatory tariffs on American goods coming into Canada.
“Canada will […] respond with 25 per cent tariffs against $155 billion of American goods – starting with tariffs on $30 billion worth of goods immediately, and tariffs on the remaining $125 billion on American products in 21 days’ time,” Trudeau said in an official statement.
Canada’s retaliatory tariffs on American goods are far-reaching. The Government of Canada published a list of products from the United States subject to 25 per cent tariffs effective March 4.
The countermeasures “will remain in place until the U.S. eliminates its tariffs against Canadian goods,” the statement reads. Currently, Canada is the largest single buyer of American goods and vice-versa. Trump’s tariffs on Canada and Mexico affect over $900 billion in annual U.S. imports. Experts and economists predict that Trump’s tariffs will not only inflict significant damage on the Canadian economy but will likely raise the prices of goods for Americans.
“Because of the tariffs imposed by the U.S., Americans will pay more for groceries, gas, and cars, and potentially lose thousands of jobs,” Trudeau said in his statement. “Tariffs will disrupt an incredibly successful trading relationship. They will violate the very trade agreement that was negotiated by President Trump in his last term.”
List of American imports subject to 25% tariffs
Canada’s retaliatory tariffs only apply to goods originating from the U.S. and will target everything from U.S.-produced dairy and grains to cosmetics and tires. For a complete list of products subject to 25 per cent tariffs, click here. In summary, Canadians will now pay more for the following:
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Fruits and vegetables
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Nuts
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Processed foods and beverages
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Coffee and tea
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Cooking oils and spices
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Grains and grain products, including pasta and bread
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Fresh, frozen or chilled meat and seafood
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Animal products, including eggs and dairy
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Liquor, wine and beer
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Vehicles and vehicle parts
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Clothing, textiles, shoes and accessories
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Fresh-cut flowers
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Personal care products and cosmetics, including shampoo, deodorants and dental hygiene products
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Building materials and home products, including commercial and household appliances, vacuums, building materials and bathroom accessories
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Full list of products from the United States subject to 25 per cent tariffs
Online and cross-border shopping is about to become more expensive. Not only will Canadian consumers be confronted with higher price tags on American-made goods, but they may also face increased duties, a weaker Canadian dollar on USD-priced products, longer delivery times and, potentially, some retailers opting to halt Canadian shipping altogether.
For shoppers who purchase American goods online, the added tariff charge won’t be added at checkout, so “it’s going to be a bit of an invisible cost,” David Nagy, founder of eCommerce Canada, told The Globe and Mail. A 25 per cent levy may be added on top of any existing duties, Matt Poirier, vice-president of federal government relations at the Retail Council of Canada, told the newspaper.
A guide to shopping Canadian brands: Everything you need to know as tariffs take effect
Will I have to pay duties? How do I know?
In general, when you order from a Canadian website and are shipping from Canada, you don’t have to pay additional duty charges. However, if a Canadian retailer sells American products, they may pass on the cost of tariffs to the customer. If you are ordering from an American website based in the U.S., Canadian customers should expect to pay duties and additional import costs.
Of course, duties — or the lack thereof — are not guaranteed. If you have questions regarding duties and import costs, check with the shipper before placing your order.
What can you do? Buy Canadian
Whether you’re looking to vote with your dollar and boycott American goods, avoid 25 per cent tariff fees, or lend a hand to small Canadian businesses, we’ve compiled a list of more than 200 Canadian brands to shop. Many of these Canadian alternatives are made right here in the Great White North, and for those that aren’t, they still support local entrepreneurs, employees and distributors.
If you see a Canadian flag 🇨🇦 next to the brand, that means it is both Canadian-owned and manufactured in Canada.
🇨🇦 Canadian cleaning brands
🇺🇸 American cleaning brands
Procter & Gamble (P&G) brands, including Tide, Mr. Clean, Swiffer and Dawn. The Clorox Company brands, including Clorox Bleach, Pine-Sol, Liquid-Plumr and Clorox Disinfecting Wipes. Reckitt Benckiser brands, including Lysol, Dettol, Finish and Woolite. Church & Dwight Co. brands, including Arm & Hammer and OxiClean. SC Johnson brands, including Windex, Glade, Pledge and Scrubbing Bubbles.
🇨🇦 Canadian personal care brands
🇨🇦 Canadian beauty and makeup brands
🇨🇦 Canadian home brands
🇨🇦 Canadian fashion brands
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