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How the US-Canada trade war could affect consumers, farmers, businesses
Canada will impose 15% to 50% tariffs on more than 700 U.S. goods as economists warn the trade fight could raise consumer prices.
On Tuesday, Canada announced it will impose tariffs of up to 50% on more than 700 American goods starting Sept. 8, retaliating against President Donald Trump's 50% levies on $20 billion of Canadian imports that took effect Saturday.
Trade negotiations between the two nations collapsed late last week, prompting Trump to write on Truth Social that Canada is "Ripping Off" the U.S. and is the "most difficult and unreasonable" trading partner.
Economists warn that tit-for-tat trade wars generally lead to higher inflation and weaker growth, even though exemptions limit the immediate tariff impact to about 5% of the $382 billion in Canadian imports recorded in 2025.
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins defended Trump's tactics on Wednesday, while Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney threatened to halt energy exports, stating "Canada fuels American growth, supplying 99% of their natural gas imports."
Trump's threats to double tariffs on Canadian vehicles and steel to 50% next January loom over negotiations, though Canadian Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc stated Tuesday that a mutually beneficial agreement remains possible.