Canada's tariffs, introduced in response to United States duties that triggered a trade war, officially began to take effect today.
These customs duties range from 15 to 50 percent on $20 billion worth of imports from the US, affecting goods from steel and aluminum to cheese; however, Canada excluded certain types of seafood from the initial tariff list.
The introduction of the Canadian tariff was a reaction to the escalation of economic tensions by US President Donald Trump, which escalated into a full-scale trade war. Previously, Trump imposed a 50 percent tariff on hockey sticks and cement, affecting about 5.5 percent of Canadian exports to the US.
Furthermore, Trump threatened Canadian companies with tariffs if they did not move their headquarters to the US, specifically mentioning the Quebec-based aircraft manufacturer Bombardier Aviation.
Trump posted in all caps on his Truth Social platform: 'No more selling Bombardier in the United States!', although he did not specify how the sales ban would be achieved, given that thousands of Bombardier aircraft are currently operated in the domestic fleets of American airlines.
Bombardier Aviation countered by stating that its operations support 'tens of thousands of jobs across the United States' and have 'direct employment' in over 20 states. The company also noted that its supply chain 'consists of approximately 2800 American companies in 47 states.'
The company's statement emphasized that 'Bombardier values its large partnership with American companies and its employees in the US.'
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney stated that both sides could resume discussions 'when Americans stop making memes' and start acting seriously, especially after Trump signed an executive order in August to rename Lake Ontario, bordering Canada, as 'Lake America.'