Canadian govt. announces counter-tariffs on nearly 900 U.S. products

A counter-punch to American tariffs coming out of Ottawa on Tuesday.

The Carney government announced its retaliatory measures to the Trump administration’s levies following broken down trade talks.

Starting Sept. 8, Ottawa will hike American steel and aluminum tariffs from 25 to 50 per cent.

It’s all part of a list of nearly 900 U.S. products that will also see tariffs.

Canada’s Finance Minister did concede that this will bring pain to Canadian companies and consumers, but followed up that it’s set to commit $7.5 billion to help aid businesses and workers.

“We want to make sure that companies, like the one we’re at this morning, can be selling and be competitive in the Canadian market. That is what’s driving our response today, that’s what’s going to drive our response for the days and months ahead,” says Canada’s Finance Minister, Francois-Philippe Champagne.

During an announcement at an Ottawa roofing company, Champagne says the government is set to unleash its dollar-for-dollar tariffs, on a long-list of U.S. products beginning Sept. 8.

Including smartphones, golf clubs, video game consoles, fishing rods and more — that will see a 50 per cent charge.

A 25 per cent tariff will be issued on items like appliances, agricultural machinery, dairy products and hand tools, air conditioners and forklifts will see 15 per cent.

However, steel and aluminum are the big-ticket items — as Ottawa is set to double tariffs there to 50 percent.

“We have always said from the get-go, we would be strategic, proportionate and that we would respond in a way that serves Canada’s best interest,” says Champagne.

That was Champagne’s response when asked about why federal officials did not issue export levies on energy and potash.

READ MORE: Ford and Trump trade insults as tariff tensions escalate

Cabinet officials also did not provide any details on how much revenue Canada is expecting to generate from new tariffs, but said it wouldn’t be more than the $7.5 billion in aid for companies and workers.

After trade talks broke down between Canada and the Trump administration, blowback followed over last minute demands including Carney saying the white house wanted veto power over Canada’s trade relations.

On Tuesday, U.S. President Donald Trump took to social media, claiming in part “I deal with many countries, and Canada is easily the most difficult and unreasonable.”

“We’re also targeting products that will target states in the U.S.. we’re being wise and strategic to apply political pressure,” says Industry Minister Melanie Joly.

While talking to CNN today, Ontario Premier Doug Ford was campaigning for White House officials to broker a fair deal to benefit both economies.

“We have the electricity that the U.S. needs, and I’m more than happy to send them more if we get a fair deal. I want to open up our critical mineral market rather than depending on China that has cornered the market,” says Ford.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Mark Carney responded to opposition calls about releasing the details of the failed trade deal and about recalling parliament.

He said in a social media post “this morning, I spoke with opposition leaders about our response to the unjustified U.S. tariffs — including new measures to back Canadian workers, families and businesses.”

The Carney government’s aid package for businesses and workers include measures like new loan programs for businesses and more flexibility to apply for employment insurance.

READ MORE: U.S. should feel pain in tariff war, Ontario Premier Doug Ford says