Canada’s Retaliation: Goods Targeted Following Trump’s Tariffs
As Canada braces for the potential reintroduction of tariffs under Donald Trump’s leadership, questions loom over whether the federal government will respond with retaliatory measures, as it did during the previous trade conflict between the two countries.
In 2018, Trump imposed a 25% tariff on steel and a 10% tariff on aluminum products amidst tense negotiations over a new North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). In response, Canada retaliated with its own tariffs, targeting $16.6 billion worth of U.S. goods, including steel, aluminum, and a wide range of everyday products.
The Canadian tariffs spanned various industries, from industrial goods like hollow drill bars to consumer products such as food and toiletries. Among the American imports targeted were:
- Food and Beverages: Yogurt, roasted coffee, chocolate bars, pizza, quiche, maple syrup, ketchup, mayonnaise, orange juice, whiskey, and soups.
- Household Items: Candles, toilet paper, cleaning products, and kitchenware.
- Industrial and Plastic Goods: Sacks, plywood, and coated paper.
- Appliances and Furniture: Lawn mowers, refrigerators, water heaters, and upholstered seats.
- Personal Care Products: Hair lacquers, shaving products, and room deodorizers.
- Miscellaneous Items: Playing cards, pens, and sleeping bags.
Experts warn that new tariffs could have significant repercussions for Canadian industries, further straining an already delicate economic balance. For those needing a refresher, Canada’s prior retaliatory measures also included duties on products as diverse as confectionery, condiments, household appliances, and even mattresses.
Whether Canada will implement similar countermeasures remains to be seen, but the economic and political stakes are high.
