Trump intensifies trade offensive against Canada with import bans and more tariffs of 50%

Friday, September 11, 2026

US President Donald Trump escalated trade pressure on Canada on Tuesday, September 8, with a series of measures that include new import bans, 50% tariffs on more products, and the closure of Canadian access to some federal government procurement. The move comes after Canada imposed retaliatory tariffs on US goods.

The White House announced that the ban on imports of several Canadian products will take effect on September 29 at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time. The ban includes certain alcoholic beverages, dairy products, motorcycles, and mopeds.

In the beverage sector, the measure includes sparkling grape wine, malt beer, rice wine or sake, Irish and Scotch whiskies, and pisco and singani, provided they are sold in bottles. Tequila and mezcal will also be banned when presented in containers of less than four liters. Non-alcoholic beer is also included on this list. In dairy products, the United States will close the market to several types of whey protein from Canada. Cane molasses is also included.

For the beverage sector, this move could have direct effects on importers, distributors, and retail chains in the United States. In categories such as sparkling wine, beer, and spirits, a disruption in the flow of Canadian products could reduce available supply and put downward pressure on prices, especially in niche markets where alternative supplies are not readily available. It also increases the likelihood of further trade retaliation between the two countries.

At the same time, Trump expanded the list of Canadian goods subject to 50% tariffs. These include golf carts and similar vehicles, cotton mattresses, bamboo and rattan furniture, and more types of aluminum and cheese, according to proclamations released by the White House.

The US administration also removed several products from that 50% tariff list. These include non-white cement, toilet paper and facial tissues, bed sheets and other household and hospital items made from paper pulp, fishing rods and accessories, chemically pure sugars, and road salt. A senior White House official justified the change by telling reporters that Trump has introduced more nuance when it comes to natural resources or goods that are not available in the United States. As an example, he cited Canadian rock salt, which is used in some parts of the country and, he said, cannot be easily substituted. The same official indicated that the updated tariff list would take effect within a week.

The White House defended the set of measures, arguing that they aim to maintain reciprocity, prevent retaliation, and protect American production. Simultaneously, Trump ordered the U.S. General Services Administration and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative to exclude Canada from federal government procurement markets, through which Washington purchases foreign goods.

In a message posted on Truth Social, the president called for the removal of Canadian products from the GSA's Multiple Award Schedules "unless Canada restores full and fair reciprocity for American farmers and businesses." Trump added that these schedules represent more than $50 billion annually. It is not yet clear how long the government will need to remove these products from current government contracts.

A senior White House official added that the plan to impose 50% tariffs on Canadian cars on January 1, 2027, remains in place. At the same time, he left the door open to a negotiated solution and stated that an alternative path could be found if both sides reach an agreement.

Canada's response came on Tuesday, September 8, through Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc. The minister stated that Ottawa is evaluating the measures and affirmed that the government's priority remains protecting and supporting Canadian workers, farmers, families, and businesses in the face of what he called unjustified decisions. LeBlanc added that when the United States is willing to engage in dialogue, Canada will act in good faith and constructively to establish mutually beneficial trade relations that fully respect Canadian sovereignty.