President Donald Trump issued five proclamations enacting strict new import bans and adjusting 50% Section 338 tariffs on Canadian products in direct retaliation for Canadian trade measures.
Key Implementation Timeline
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Sept. 15: New 50% tariffs take effect on expanded product categories, while certain items are removed from tariff coverage.
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Sept. 29: Full import bans take effect on specific Canadian goods, including alcoholic beverages, dairy products, molasses, and large motorcycles.
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Fallback Provision: If the import bans are legally invalidated, the affected goods will automatically become subject to the 50% tariff rate.
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Warehouse Rule: Products imported prior to Sept. 29 that have not yet entered consumption channels remain subject to the 50% Section 338 tariffs.
Tariff Adjustments (Effective Sept. 15)
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Additions: Paper products (Chapter 48), select steel and aluminum (Chapters 73 and 76), base metal products (Chapter 83), furniture (Chapter 94), non-cow’s milk cheese, leather/skins (Chapters 41/43), golf carts, all-terrain vehicles (Chapter 87), and motorboats (Chapter 89).
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Removals: Portland cement, salt, toilet paper, tissues, bed sheets, lead, fishing rods, and large-container whiskies and liqueurs (over 4 liters).
Import Bans (Effective Sept. 29)
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Alcoholic beverages, beer, wine, and liquors (under 53 subheadings of Chapter 22).
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Dairy products under heading 0404, molasses, and non-alcoholic beer.
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Motorcycles with engines exceeding 800cc (subheading 8711.50.00).
U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer defended the measures as a necessary response to Canada’s discriminatory treatment of American motor vehicles, dairy, and alcoholic exports, emphasizing the administration’s commitment to bilateral trade reciprocity.
