Eskalierender Zollstreit: Kanada: Vergeltungszölle gegen USA von bis zu 50 Prozent

In a growing trade spat with the United States, Canada has imposed retaliatory tariffs of up to 50% on imports from its neighbor. Canada's Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne announced on September 8 that the country would impose tariffs of 15.25 or 50% on $27.6 billion worth of U.S. imports. The U.S. had previously imposed 50% tariffs on Canadian goods worth around $20 billion, including hockey sticks, furniture, honey, and wine.

Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney subsequently announced the retaliatory tariffs, which were detailed on Monday. Trump had threatened to raise tariffs on cars, trucks, auto parts, and steel to 50% from January 1, 2027. Despite the threat, 85% of Canadian exports to the U.S. in 2024 were vehicles. Currently, the U.S. is imposing 25% tariffs on cars, trucks, and related parts under Section 232 of the "Trade Expansion Act" of 1962, as well as 10-50% tariffs on steel, aluminum, and copper.

Canada does not wish to remain passive while "our preferred solution - a mutually beneficial agreement - is being thwarted by the United States." Canada's Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc stated that they remain hopeful negotiations can resolve the issue, but are prepared to wait for a response. Trump's tariffs are justified by his claim that Canada has been "draining" the United States of key industries such as the automotive, steel, and aluminum sectors.

He also asserts that Canada is not dependent on trade with its neighbor. According to the U.S. Census, Canada is now the second-largest trading partner of the U.S. The two countries are particularly intertwined in the energy sector, with Canada being the largest foreign supplier of crude oil to the U.S., and natural gas and electricity crossing their shared border, impacting millions of jobs in both countries.