Canada is striking back at Trump's trade war with a direct countermeasure: tariffs of 15 percent to 50 percent on more than 800 categories of American…
Canada is striking back at Trump's trade war with a direct countermeasure: tariffs of 15 percent to 50 percent on more than 800 categories of American goods worth roughly 20 billion dollars, set to take effect September 8. The move answers Trump's own 50 percent tariffs on a similar sum of Canadian exports.
How Canada Strikes Back at Trump's Tariff Push
Canadian officials announced the plan Tuesday, framing it as a direct mirror of Washington's action. The tariffs hit many of the same categories Trump targeted, with steel and aluminum absorbing the heaviest blow. Industry Minister Melanie Joly told CBS News the goal is not just economic, it's political. "We are picking products that will target states in the U.S.," she said, adding that Canada wants to apply pressure ahead of the midterm elections.
Targeting Swing States on Purpose
The selection of goods appears deliberate rather than random. Automakers in Michigan, dairy farmers in Wisconsin and lobstermen in Maine are all exposed, and all three states have competitive races this fall. By aiming at industries concentrated in politically contested territory, Ottawa seems to be betting that economic pain will translate into pressure on lawmakers who answer to those voters.
A Call to Buy Canadian
Joly paired the tariff announcement with an appeal to Canadian consumers, urging them to favor domestic products to protect local jobs. She described the effort as part of a broader
