In response to the ongoing trade dispute, the Government of Canada has placed new counter-tariffs (surtaxes) on a wide range of goods imported from the United States.
The value of US-origin goods being tariffed ($27.6 billion) is roughly equal to the value of Canadian goods that fall under the 50-percent tariffs imposed by the U.S. on Canada this past weekend. Canada’s counter-tariffs match the US Section 338 tariffs – dollar for dollar, although not stated in the notice, appear to apply regardless of CUSMA/USMCA applicability similar to the US Section 338 tariff.
The list of US products subject to counter-tariffs, upon import to Canada, include fish, cheese, pulp and paper, household appliances, electronics, textiles, tools, machinery, steel and aluminum, etc..
In certain sectors, such as steel and aluminum, existing counter-tariffs will increase from 25-percent to 50-percent to match US rates. Other existing counter-tariffs, including against US autos, will also continue to apply.
A full list of U.S. products subject to counter tariffs may be found here.
The counter-tariff rate will be either 15, 25, or 50 percent tariffs as outlined in the listing. These countermeasures will come into effect 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time on September 8, 2026.
These additional tariffs only apply to goods originating from the U.S., which shall be considered as those goods eligible to be marked as a good of the U.S. in accordance with the Determination of Country of Origin for the Purpose of Marking Goods (CUSMA Countries) Regulations.
Canada’s countermeasures do not apply to US goods that are in transit to Canada on the day which they come into force. Additional details on the administration of these tariffs will be available on the Canada Border Services Agency website: Customs Notices (cbsa-asfc.gc.ca).
If you are unsure whether your products fall these countermeasure tariffs, our Customs Consulting Services regulatory team can help you work through the classifications. Reach out to Brian Rowe, Director, Customs Compliance & Regulatory Affairs, or your Universal Logistics representative.
