Starting September 8, Canada will impose tariffs ranging from 15% to 50% on various products imported from the United States, in response to new surtaxes decided by Washington. Ottawa also warns that it will take additional measures if the Canadian automotive sector is further taxed by the United States.
The new Canadian surtaxes will primarily affect steel and dairy products, as well as agricultural equipment, paper industry products, electronic equipment, and household appliances. The rates will be set at 15%, 25%, or 50%. Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne stated that the amount of Canadian duties will correspond, “to the dollar,” to the US surtaxes applied to Canadian products since Saturday.
The Canadian government claims it did not wish to initiate this new phase of the trade conflict with Washington. “We did not choose” this trade war, which constitutes an “unprecedented challenge” for Canada, said François-Philippe Champagne, noting that the United States remains by far the country’s main trading partner. Ottawa nevertheless asserts its desire to maintain a unified response to US measures. “Canada will never accept another country dictating its path,” the minister added.
Prime Minister Mark Carney announced on Friday the breakdown of trade negotiations with Washington, deeming the conditions proposed by the US administration unfair. In response, the United States has been applying new surtaxes since Saturday on approximately $20 billion worth of Canadian products, including cement, alcoholic beverages, and hockey sticks. Some of these measures also affect products previously covered by the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA).
Tensions have also escalated regarding the automotive sector. Donald Trump announced on Monday that US tariffs on vehicles and automotive products, already affected by his trade offensive, could increase from 25% to 50% on January 1st. “Obviously, we will retaliate” if this increase materializes, declared Canadian Minister of Industry Mélanie Joly, assuring that the government would defend jobs in the sector.
Simultaneously, Ottawa announced a package of 7.5 billion Canadian dollars (approximately 4.6 billion euros) to support businesses affected by the tariffs. The measures are intended to strengthen their cash flow, support unemployment compensation, and finance a “Diversification Fund for a Strong Canada,” aimed at helping affected sectors develop new export opportunities. The government also encourages consumers to favor domestic products. “Buying Canadian makes more sense than ever,” said François-Philippe Champagne.
Mark Carney’s strategy comes as the Canadian economy attempts to recover from a technical recession in the first quarter. The strengthening of trade tensions with Washington casts new uncertainties on the country’s economic outlook.
However, the government’s decision enjoys majority support in public opinion. According to a poll conducted over the weekend, 76% of respondents approve of breaking off trade negotiations with the United States, while 62% support the retaliatory measures.
For his part, Donald Trump continued his criticism of Canada on Tuesday. He notably mentioned the possibility of renaming Lake Ontario to “Lake America,” stating that the United States no longer intended to “do much business with Ontario.” This statement echoes his decision, after returning to the White House, to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America.”
The Canadian government had justified the breakdown of negotiations by citing US conditions regarding the French language. According to Ottawa, the draft agreement would have specifically targeted subsidies for Francophone culture, the role of online Francophone media, and bilingual labeling of products sold in Canada. Donald Trump rejected these accusations on Tuesday, claiming he would not interfere in the affairs of Francophone Canadians and labeling the explanation put forward by Mark Carney a “lie.”
Captured & Published at: 2026-08-26 12:54:06 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://2424.mg/commerce-le-canada-riposte-avec-des-surtaxes-de-15-a-50-sur-des-produits-americains/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=commerce-le-canada-riposte-avec-des-surtaxes-de-15-a-50-sur-des-produits-americains
