According to www.scmp.com, Canada has announced retaliatory tariffs of up to 50 per cent on US$19.94 billion (C$27.6 billion) of American goods, effective September 8.
Retaliation Targets Over 700 Product Categories
The Canadian government confirmed the new duties will apply to more than 700 categories of U.S. imports at tiered rates of 15 per cent, 25 per cent, or 50 per cent. Products singled out include steel, aluminium, agricultural equipment, household appliances, clothing, cheese, seafood, cosmetics, and electronics.
Existing Canadian tariffs on certain U.S. steel and aluminium products will double from 25 per cent to 50 per cent, aligning precisely with the rates imposed by the Trump administration. Counter-tariffs on American-made vehicles remain fixed at 25 per cent.
This escalation follows the collapse of bilateral negotiations just days earlier and comes in direct response to sweeping new U.S. duties on Canadian exports. The measures are not intended to raise revenue but to protect domestic economic interests amid intensifying trade friction.
“Dollar for Dollar, Rate for Rate” Defense Strategy
Finance Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne stated the response was calibrated to match U.S. actions “dollar for dollar, rate for rate” and emphasized its defensive purpose: safeguarding Canadian workers and businesses.
“We did not choose this conflict, but when our economic integration is used as a weapon rather than the foundation for a win-win partnership, we need to stand up,” Champagne said.
The minister underscored that the tariffs reflect a measured, proportional reaction—not an expansion of hostilities—and are rooted in protecting the integrity of Canada’s trade relationship with the United States, which remains its largest trading partner.
Source: South China Morning Post
Compiled from international media by the SCI.AI editorial team.
