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LeBlanc says Canada not apologizing as U.S. import bans take effect
On Tuesday, the United States enforced import bans on Canadian alcohol, dairy byproducts, and motorcycles at 12:01 a.m., blocking shipments as the Trump administration escalates its cross-border trade war to pressure Canada into concessions.
The conflict intensified after Prime Minister Mark Carney withdrew negotiators from Washington in August, saying Canada was walking away from a bad deal; U.S. tariffs hit $28 billion in Canadian goods, followed by Canadian retaliatory tariffs targeting the same amount on Sept. 8.
President Trump claimed Monday he expects Canada to return within three or four weeks with an apology, but Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc firmly rejected the notion Tuesday, stating the government will not apologize for defending Canadian workers and businesses.
Jacob Jensen, director of trade policy at the American Action Forum, calculates the ban covers nearly $967 million in Canadian imports based on 2025 numbers, with 87 percent being alcoholic beverages; BRP Inc. confirmed its Can-Am Spyder and Canyon motorcycles will be excluded.
Earlier Tuesday, Peter Navarro, Trump's senior council for trade and manufacturing, told Canadian lobbyists to leave the country, while Ontario expanded eligibility for a $1-billion financing program and $150-million fund to help affected businesses diversify exports and reduce U.S. market reliance.