Canada's retaliatory tariffs on $27.6 billion in U.S. goods take effect
Tariffs ranging from 15 to 50 per cent apply to more than 700 American products, effective immediately after midnight Tuesday.
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Canada imposed retaliatory tariffs on American products effective just after midnight Tuesday, escalating an ongoing trade dispute with the United States.
Effective September 8, 2026, Canada will impose 15, 25, and 50 per cent tariffs on products drawn from those targeted by U.S. tariffs. Ottawa's counter-tariffs target American imports. Ottawa confirmed August 25, 2026 that tariffs would start September 8, 2026, describing the action as a "dollar for dollar" response to U.S. tariffs.
Dairy products face the steepest tariffs. Milk and cream—including concentrated and sweetened varieties and powders—face a 50 per cent tariff, as do whey and milk and whey protein products. Fresh cheese and curd, including grated, powdered and processed varieties, face 25 per cent tariffs. Specified cheese types including Camembert, brie, blue cheese, cheddar, mozzarella, Swiss, Gruyère, Havarti and Parmesan also face 25 per cent tariffs. The Finance Department stated that 50 per cent tariffs apply to dairy imports both below and above quota rates. Under the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement, U.S. dairy imports are tariff-free until specific quotas are reached; imports over those quotas face existing tariff rates upwards of 200 per cent.
Ottawa initially announced a 25 per cent tariff on a wide range of U.S. seafood including salmon, halibut, cod, haddock, tilapia, lobster, crabs, shrimps and prawns, oysters and mollusks, swordfish, mackerel, herring, capelin, anchovies and sardines. On August 26, Ottawa removed seafood from the tariff list after receiving feedback from fishing and processing sectors.
Wood products face 25 per cent tariffs on softwood (pine, fir and spruce) sawed or sliced thicker than six millimetres, and 50 per cent tariffs on plywood and veneered panels made from a variety of softwoods and hardwoods. Paper products including toilet paper, facial tissue, napkins and similar sanitary products face 25 or 50 per cent tariffs depending on specific import sizes.
What is the timeline for any further escalation or negotiation between Canada and the U.S.?
Which Canadian industries or consumers are most exposed to higher costs from these retaliatory tariffs?
We'll update this story as answers emerge.
By the numbers
What tariff rates did Canada impose on U.S. goods starting September 8, 2026?
Canada imposed tariffs of 15, 25, and 50 per cent on more than 700 American products effective September 8, 2026, described as a 'dollar for dollar' response to U.S. tariffs.
What tariff rate applies to Canadian dairy imports from the U.S.?
Milk, cream, and whey products face a 50 per cent tariff, while fresh cheese and curd face 25 per cent tariffs. Specified varieties including cheddar, brie, and Parmesan also face 25 per cent tariffs.
Which U.S. seafood products were subject to Canadian tariffs?
Seafood was initially included in Canada's tariff list but was removed on August 26, 2026, after feedback from fishing and processing sectors.
What tariff rates apply to Canadian wood and paper imports from the U.S.?
Softwood products face 25 per cent tariffs, while plywood and veneered panels face 50 per cent tariffs. Paper products including tissue and napkins face tariffs of 25 or 50 per cent depending on specific import sizes.
