Washington, July 21 (QNA) – The White House announced that the United States will impose 50% tariffs on a wide range of Canadian products in response to what it described as Canada’s “discriminatory treatment” of US automobiles, dairy products and other American goods.
US President Donald Trump signed three proclamations invoking Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930, which authorizes the president to impose duties of up to 50% on imports from countries found to discriminate against US commerce. The provision is being used for the first time in nearly a century.
The new tariffs will apply to a broad range of Canadian imports, including dairy products, swimming pools, furniture, fishing rods, seeds, clothing and wigs.
US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said in a statement: “While the Administration continues to secure fair and reciprocal trade deals with our trading partners, Canada, unlike other partners and allies, continues to retaliate against the United States for its efforts to rebalance trade and protect US industry in national security-sensitive sectors.”
He added that Canada had removed US alcoholic beverages from store shelves, granted more favorable market access to dairy products from the European Union, and capped exports of US-made vehicles to Canada.
The tariffs are scheduled to take effect on Aug. 19 and will apply regardless of whether the affected goods qualify for preferential treatment under the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). Energy products, potash, fish, critical minerals and products already subject to tariffs under other US trade measures are exempt. (QNA)