من السيارات إلى الأثاث.. كندا تصعّد حرب الرسوم مع الولايات المتحدة

The retaliatory tariffs imposed by Canada on a wide range of American goods came into effect today (Tuesday), in a new escalation amid the absence of any signs of nearing a trade agreement between the two countries.

The new Canadian tariffs cover American products worth approximately 28 billion Canadian dollars, equivalent to nearly 20 billion US dollars, ranging from steel and furniture to cotton shirts, with some tariffs reaching up to 50%.

Fresh fish and lobster were initially on the list of targeted goods, but the Canadian government backed down from imposing tariffs on them after pressure from the seafood sector, reflecting the difficulty of balancing a response to Canada’s largest trading partner while protecting the local economy from the repercussions of the trade war.

Stalled negotiations between Washington and Ottawa

American and Canadian officials have confirmed their desire to reach a trade agreement, but no steps have been taken to resume negotiations since they collapsed in late August.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney stated last week that his country is still seeking to conclude an agreement with the United States that is "permanent" and serves the interests of both countries.

Carney added, "We are ready to sit down and finalize this agreement when the Americans are ready."

In contrast, US Trade Representative Jamison Greer said the ball is now in Canada’s court, asserting that Washington offered them the "best deal" possible, but they rejected it.

Greer added, in an interview with Fox News, that communications between the two sides have become limited since the negotiations collapsed.

In a separate interview with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Greer warned of the repercussions of Canada’s response, hinting that the United States might take countermeasures, including banning the import of certain Canadian products.

Trump threatens Bombardier

In a separate escalation, US President Donald Trump threatened yesterday (Monday) to halt all American business with Canadian aircraft manufacturer Bombardier unless it moves its manufacturing operations to the United States.

Bombardier is one of the largest companies in Canada, contributing over 7 billion Canadian dollars to the country's GDP in 2024, according to a report prepared by PwC on behalf of Bombardier.

Trump intensified his attack on Canada through a series of posts on the "Truth Social" platform over the weekend, including a post in which he described the exchange rate of the Canadian dollar against the US dollar as "unacceptable."

He also posted a map of North America, which included Canada, Mexico, and Greenland, all covered by the American flag, a gesture that sparked further controversy regarding the nature of relations between Washington and its neighbors.

A trade relationship nearing 900 billion dollars

The United States and Canada share the largest bilateral trade relationship in the world, with trade between the two countries valued at approximately 900 billion dollars in 2025.

With the new American and Canadian tariffs coming into effect, companies in both countries are rushing to assess their impacts and prepare for what the next phase may bring.

The United States currently imposes a 25% tariff on Canadian cars and trucks, as well as tariffs on Canadian steel, aluminum, and lumber.

In late August, Trump imposed an additional 50% tariff on other products, including dairy, alcohol, hockey sticks, and perfumes.

In response, Canada began implementing its retaliatory tariffs today, which Carney described as "dollar-for-dollar" measures on hundreds of goods coming from the United States.

These tariffs add to existing retaliatory taxes already imposed by Canada on American finished cars and trucks that do not comply with the free trade agreement between the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Concerns about rising prices

Polls indicate that the majority of Canadians support their country imposing retaliatory tariffs on the United States.

However, economists warn that the new round of tariffs could lead to increased prices for everyday goods for consumers, particularly clothing, food, and furniture.

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce urged Carney's government to adopt a "selective and measured" approach in responding to the American tariffs, warning against getting drawn into an endless escalation.

Canadian Chamber of Commerce CEO Candice Ling said that businesses understand the need to respond, but they "do not want to see an endless escalation," adding that the business sector is preparing for the possibility of a prolonged trade dispute.

The fishing sector forces a modification of the tariffs

The fishing sector was one of the most prominent examples of the difficulty of designing retaliatory tariffs without harming the Canadian economy itself, as objections from the sector prompted the Canadian government to amend its list and remove dozens of seafood products from the new tariffs, in an attempt to avoid unintended consequences for local producers and consumers.

The lobster sector in Canada and the United States is closely linked; quantities of lobster caught in the United States are sent to Canada for processing before being returned to the American market and sold to consumers.

The Canadian economy faces a new test

Before the imposition of the latest round of American tariffs, the Canadian economy showed signs of resilience; the GDP grew by 3.3% during the second quarter, and the economy added about 181,000 jobs between April and July.

However, this positive picture suffered a setback in August, when the economy lost about 41,000 jobs, coinciding with the entry of the new American tariffs into effect and the collapse of trade negotiations.

In contrast, the manufacturing sector recorded limited growth, an increase that the Canadian government attributed to consumers and businesses shifting towards purchasing more domestically made products.

Canada seeks alternative markets

In light of its heavy reliance on the American market, Prime Minister Mark Carney pledged to diversify Canadian trade relations and reduce the country's dependence on the United States.

Data from July indicates that the percentage of Canadian exports heading to the American market has dropped to 66%, compared to an average of about 75% before the trade war broke out.

With the new tariffs coming into effect, Canada and the United States face a difficult economic test, as both governments must balance protecting their trade and political interests on one hand, and avoiding rising prices, supply chain disruptions, and escalating disputes between the two largest trading partners in North America on the other hand.