Earlier this week, President Donald Trump of the United States made an announcement to impose 50 percent tariffs on certain Canadian products, including alcohol and dairy, escalating the trade conflict between the two countries. The tariffs are set to be enforced starting on August 19. This decision was a response to Canada imposing retaliatory tariffs on the U.S. following previous tariffs set by Trump.
Since the beginning of his presidency, tariffs have been a recurring issue under Trump’s administration. To provide clarity on this evolving trade situation, here is a brief timeline detailing how Trump’s trade actions have impacted Canada:
In February 2025, Trump signed an executive order imposing tariffs on Canadian exports to the U.S., with varying rates based on product types. This move was justified as a measure to combat illicit drug flows, particularly citing fentanyl as a national security concern. The tariffs were scheduled to take effect on March 4.
In March 2025, Trump amended the executive order to exempt products compliant with the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) from tariffs, covering nearly 90 percent of Canadian exports to the U.S.
By April 2025, Trump reduced the initially proposed 25 percent tariff on automobiles and auto parts to target only non-CUSMA-compliant parts and the non-U.S. portion of assembled vehicles, impacting Canada’s auto industry.
In May 2025, Trump met with Prime Minister Mark Carney at the White House to discuss the tariffs issue, but there was no indication of policy change from Trump.
By June 2025, Trump doubled tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from all countries to 50 percent, with Canada being a significant supplier of these products to the U.S.
In July 2025, Trump threatened to increase tariffs on Canadian goods to 35 percent, prompting negotiations between the two countries. Subsequently, Trump signed an executive order raising tariffs to 35 percent, excluding goods compliant with CUSMA.
In August 2025, higher tariffs, including 50 percent on copper imports and increased countervailing duties on Canadian softwood lumber, were implemented. However, tensions eased as Canada announced plans to reduce retaliatory tariffs to match U.S. exemptions on CUSMA-covered goods.
In September 2025, Trump announced new tariffs on various Canadian goods, including pharmaceutical drugs, kitchen cabinets, and heavy trucks, along with an additional 10 percent tariff on softwood timber and lumber imports.
In July 2026, Trump issued a new set of tariffs on specific Canadian products, ranging from honey to hockey sticks, with no exemption for CUSMA-compliant goods.
On July 21, 2026, amidst the ongoing trade war with the U.S., Canadian premiers signed an agreement to allow direct-to-consumer sales of alcohol across provinces, influenced by the trade tensions with the U.S.
