The Canadian tariff list, which will come into force as of September 8, contemplates rates of between 15% and 50% on products derived from steel and aluminum as well as basic products such as dairy, fish or seafood, among others. The decision comes in response to the 50% tariffs imposed by the Trump government against Canadian products after the failure of their negotiations. In the list that they have proposed for the moment, the Canadian ‘retaliations’ amount to 27.6 billion Canadian dollars (about 17 billion euros).
Canadian Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne defended the firmness of these measures, ensuring that these measures will protect “Canadian workers, farmers, families and businesses.” The list of products affected by the new tariffs includes more than 800 categories of goods. Canada has claimed to be responding in this way to conditions that “demand too much and offer too little in return”, which is why they suspended the negotiations.
More than 800 categories and a million-dollar aid package
The list prepared by the Canadian Executive covers more than 800 categories of goods imported by the United States:
- Taxes of 50% on steel and aluminum derivatives. In addition to products such as milk, cream, honey, molasses, perfumery, cosmetics, clothing, kitchen utensils and household items.
- Taxes of 25% on cheese, fish, mollusks and shellfish as well as wooden, paper and cardboard items.
- 15% levies on industrial machinery, air conditioning systems, forklifts, harvesters and robots.
To alleviate the economic impact that these tariffs will have on Canadian society, the Canadian government led by Mark Carney has announced an aid package of 7.5 billion Canadian dollars (4.6 billion euros) to provide “fast, simple and agile support to Canada.” This battery of aid will include investments for small and medium-sized businesses, protection for companies and workers to maintain workforces affected by tariffs, and loan flexibility.
Canada responds to Washington: “We will not sit idly by”
The Canadian Executive insists that it was not in their plans to take action, but that it was a response to the lack of agreement and the demands of the White House. “Our preference was not to do that. Our preference was to find an agreement that benefited both countries. We will not sit idly by,” the Canadian government stated.
