A fresh set of U.S. tariffs on Canadian products went into effect early Tuesday, imposing 50 percent levies on 110 items such as specific cheeses, motorboats, ATVs, and furniture. These new tariffs were part of recent changes announced by the Trump administration, which saw additions to the tariff list like aluminum products, paper, wood products, iron or steel beams, electric lamps, and mattresses.
The White House mentioned that it simultaneously lifted tariffs on 10 items, including salt, sugar, cement, switchboards, and toilet paper, aiming to alleviate the impact on U.S. commerce while serving the public interest. Statistics from 2024 reveal that Canada exported around $328 million worth of toilet paper to the U.S., making it the top international supplier. Additionally, Canada is a significant salt provider to the U.S., with imports totaling approximately $159.2 million in 2025.
According to experts, the removals and additions of tariffs balance each other economically. Wolfgang Alschner, a trade law professor at the University of Ottawa, pointed out that the categories with removed tariffs represent about $2.41 billion, while the newly added tariffs cover around $2.56 billion of 2025 trade.
One of the most significant values lies in switchgear assemblies and switchboards, with the U.S. importing roughly $750 million of these products from Canada in 2025. The recent tariffs are viewed as a response to the failed trade negotiations between the U.S. and Canada in August, escalating the trade tensions between the two countries.
On September 15, President Trump announced upcoming import bans on Canadian alcohol, motorcycles, and other goods effective from September 29. As the trade war intensifies, experts warn of potential job losses and business closures due to regional disruptions. Alschner highlighted that the latest tariffs may hinder some Canadian companies from adapting, as the new hyper-specific tariffs limit potential loopholes.
Economist Andrew Dicapua suggested that the U.S.’s delayed response to Canada’s counter-tariffs and the extended timeline before import bans take effect could indicate progress towards a trade agreement. Trump’s recent comments hint at a possible deal with Canada in the near future, following a meeting with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin. The hope is that negotiations will lead to a resolution, as the current retaliatory cycle is deemed unsustainable.