Ottawa and Washington · July 20 to September 8, 2026
Canada's counter-tariffs on C$27.6 billion (about US$20 billion) of U.S. goods took effect September 8
The United States signed three 50 percent proclamations on July 20 under Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930. Canada answered on August 22. Finance Canada said the countermeasures would be effective as of 12:01 a.m. on September 8. The Canadian order names that date.
629 tariff itemsFinance list, union of the two orders
This story rests on the White House fact sheets of July 20 and September 8, the three Section 338 proclamations and their July 20 annex PDFs, Proclamation 11056 as published in the Federal Register, the motor-vehicles proclamation's public-inspection PDF, CBP cargo-systems message 69606660 of August 21, 19 U.S.C. 1338, Prime Minister Carney's August 22 remarks, the Department of Finance Canada release of August 25 and the product tables of August 25 and August 26, the August 27 Sarnia Finance release, the Spring Economic Update 2026 intro, Gazette SOR/2025-181, the Bank of Canada USD/CAD rate for August 25, staff analytical note 2025-18, and the September 2 rate decision, the Employment and Social Development Canada release of August 28, Orders in Council PC 2026-0785 and PC 2026-0786, Canada Border Services Agency Customs Notices 26-23 and 25-11, the motor-vehicle remission order in the Canada Gazette, the Census Bureau's goods-with-Canada series, Statistics Canada's Daily for December 2025, the USTR Canada page and USTR's July 20, February 20, and November 2023 statements, the 2021 USMCA dairy panel report, CRS report R48435, the Supreme Court's February 20, 2026 opinion in No. 24-1287, the White House August 25 reply, the September 8 White House proclamations including the alcohol-basket scope change and their annex PDFs, the White House presidential-actions listings of September 8 and September 9, the Federal Register public-inspection page of September 9, Carney's September 8 words as carried by the Winnipeg Free Press from the YouTube transcript and the YouTube watch page for that video, the June 15 Prime Minister readout on the Marconi SAFE contract, the Major Projects Office projects page, the Quebec government release of September 7, Global Affairs Canada's CUSMA joint-review page and May 2026 monthly trade report, and coverage checked against those records. Days, item counts, and dollar conversions are counted from those files.
Seventeen days from the U.S. duties to Canada's
What happened
On September 8, Canada began charging 15, 25, or 50 percent extra on C$27.6 billion of goods arriving from the United States, its answer to the 50 percent the United States had started charging on the same value of Canadian goods on August 22. A tariff is a tax collected at the border on an imported good, set as a share of the good's value. Finance Canada's release of August 25 set the terms: match the U.S. tariffs "dollar for dollar, rate for rate," and C$7.5 billion to help the workers and businesses hit by both sides' charges.8
On September 8, Canada began charging 15, 25, or 50 percent extra on C$27.6 billion of goods arriving from the United States, its answer to the 50 percent the United States had started charging on the same value of Canadian goods on August 22. A tariff is a tax collected at the border on an imported good, set as a share of the good's value. Finance Canada's release of August 25 set the terms: match the U.S. tariffs "dollar for dollar, rate for rate," and C$7.5 billion to help the workers and businesses hit by both sides' charges.8
The American duties came from three proclamations Trump signed on July 20 under Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930, a law that lets a president add up to 50 percent when he finds another country discriminating against U.S. trade. One was built around alcohol, one around dairy, one around motor vehicles. The White House said the provinces had pulled U.S. alcohol from their store shelves, cutting those imports by about 81 percent, or $582 million, in a year, and that Canada's cheese import quotas treat Europe better than the United States. The duties were set for August 19; an August 18 proclamation moved them to August 22, and they took effect then.115
The American duties came from three proclamations Trump signed on July 20 under Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930, a law that lets a president add up to 50 percent when he finds another country discriminating against U.S. trade. One was built around alcohol, one around dairy, one around motor vehicles. The White House said the provinces had pulled U.S. alcohol from their store shelves, cutting those imports by about 81 percent, or $582 million, in a year, and that Canada's cheese import quotas treat Europe better than the United States. The duties were set for August 19; an August 18 proclamation moved them to August 22, and they took effect then.115
Carney broke off the trade talks the evening of August 21 and announced the matching tariffs the next morning, saying Canada took the step "reluctantly" because "it will raise costs and reduce choice for Canadians." He said Canada had been ready to drop its remaining tariffs on steel, aluminum, and autos if Washington cut its own substantially, to press the provinces to put U.S. alcohol back on shelves, and to tighten how it runs its dairy, poultry, and egg quota system without changing the system. Sovereignty, French language and culture, and what he called key industries "were never on the table".7 The White House answered on August 25 that it had offered Canada "the most preferential market access of any country on Earth" and that Canada had answered with "unreasonable demands, walk-backs, and flat-out rejection."59
Carney broke off the trade talks the evening of August 21 and announced the matching tariffs the next morning, saying Canada took the step "reluctantly" because "it will raise costs and reduce choice for Canadians." He said Canada had been ready to drop its remaining tariffs on steel, aluminum, and autos if Washington cut its own substantially, to press the provinces to put U.S. alcohol back on shelves, and to tighten how it runs its dairy, poultry, and egg quota system without changing the system. Sovereignty, French language and culture, and what he called key industries "were never on the table".7
The White House answered on August 25 that it had offered Canada "the most preferential market access of any country on Earth" and that Canada had answered with "unreasonable demands, walk-backs, and flat-out rejection."59
Finance published its product list on August 25 with 874 tariff lines, a tariff line being one numbered entry in the customs list that classifies goods at the border. The version dated August 26 has 629. Between the two versions the whole fish and seafood category, 254 lines, was removed, and nine industrial products were added at 50 percent, among them wood charcoal, gypsum board, glass containers, and copper wire. The C$27.6 billion figure did not move, and Finance has not said why the list changed. Two days later a federal employment department release still listed fish and seafood among the goods facing the charge.971
Finance published its product list on August 25 with 874 tariff lines, a tariff line being one numbered entry in the customs list that classifies goods at the border. The version dated August 26 has 629. Between the two versions the whole fish and seafood category, 254 lines, was removed, and nine industrial products were added at 50 percent, among them wood charcoal, gypsum board, glass containers, and copper wire. The C$27.6 billion figure did not move, and Finance has not said why the list changed. Two days later a federal employment department release still listed fish and seafood among the goods facing the charge.971
The charge became law on September 4 through two cabinet orders, signed by the Governor General on the finance minister's advice. One creates the 2026 surtax order, surtax being the Canadian legal word for the extra charge, with 335 items across the three rates; the other adds 294 steel and aluminum codes to the 2025 order. That is 629 codes, the same 629 as Finance's August 26 table. Goods already on their way to Canada on September 8 are exempt.1011 The same Tuesday, Trump signed proclamations that go past duties to bans: from September 29, certain Canadian products, dairy and alcoholic beverages among them, may not enter the United States at all, which Section 338 allows once a president finds the discrimination continued. Seventeen days after the U.S. duties began, both countries were collecting, and the next American step is exclusion, not a higher rate.17
The charge became law on September 4 through two cabinet orders, signed by the Governor General on the finance minister's advice. One creates the 2026 surtax order, surtax being the Canadian legal word for the extra charge, with 335 items across the three rates; the other adds 294 steel and aluminum codes to the 2025 order. That is 629 codes, the same 629 as Finance's August 26 table. Goods already on their way to Canada on September 8 are exempt.1011
The same Tuesday, Trump signed proclamations that go past duties to bans: from September 29, certain Canadian products, dairy and alcoholic beverages among them, may not enter the United States at all, which Section 338 allows once a president finds the discrimination continued. Seventeen days after the U.S. duties began, both countries were collecting, and the next American step is exclusion, not a higher rate.17
Mark Carney, prime minister·September 8, 2026·Video address, as transcribed by the Winnipeg Free Press
I don’t believe in escalating the conflict, that’s not constructive, but our tariffs are necessary to protect our workers, companies and communities.79
Winnipeg Free Press transcript of the YouTube address
From the U.S. proclamations to Canada's orderDates from the White House proclamations and annexes, Carney's remarks, Finance Canada, the Order in Council, and CBSA.
DateDecision
Sep 1, 2025Canada removes 2025 counter-tariffs $30.3 billion of consumer goods and $14.4 billion of other goods; Gazette SOR/2025-181
Feb 20Supreme Court holds IEEPA does not authorize tariffs No. 24-1287, decided February 20, 2026
Jul 1CUSMA joint review Canada and Mexico asked for a 16-year renewal; the United States declined; the pact stays in force and is now reviewed every year
Jul 20Three U.S. proclamations signed 50 percent additional duty under Section 338, originally from August 19
Aug 18Proclamation 11056 delays the duties three days new effective time 12:01 a.m. eastern, August 22
Aug 21U.S. customs tells importers how to file the new charge 50 percent on the listed goods; the goods the proclamations leave out pay no Section 338 charge
Aug 22U.S. duties take effect; Carney answers Carney says match dollar for dollar; Canadian measures the Tuesday after Labour Day
Aug 25Finance Canada names C$27.6 billion rates 15, 25, and 50 percent; C$7.5 billion in supports; 12:01 a.m. on September 8
Aug 26Seafood comes off the list All 254 fish and seafood lines removed; 9 industrial lines added; 629 lines remain; C$27.6 billion unchanged
Sep 4Two Orders in Council PC 2026-0785, 335 codes at 15/25/50 percent; PC 2026-0786, 294 steel and aluminum codes at 25/50 percent; union 629
Sep 7CBSA Customs Notice 26-23 how the surtax is collected at the border
Sep 8The Canadian order comes into force Finance named 12:01 a.m.; the United States signs import-exclusion proclamations and directs GSA to take US$50 billion of Canadian-origin products off federal purchasing catalogues
U.S. Customs and Border Protection's filing notice of August 21 tells importers which line of the tariff schedule to use for the new charge. It also created lines for goods the proclamations leave out: those goods carry no Section 338 charge, though other existing duties on them still apply.69
PC 2026-0785: goods originating in the United States classified under Schedule 1, 2, or 3 "are subject to a surtax" of 15, 25, or 50 percent of the value for duty. Goods "in transit to Canada on the day on which this Order comes into force" are excepted.10
Customs Notice 26-23, Ottawa, September 7, 2026: effective September 8, listed U.S.-origin goods "are subject to a surtax of either 15%, 25% or 50% of the value for duty." Origin is the CUSMA marking rule. Remission is a write-off of a surtax "paid or payable," so it can stop a payment or refund one. The 2025 remission order and the U.S. Remission Framework remain available.1110
The two countries traded about US$715 billion in goods in 2025. The Census Bureau counts US$333.6 billion of American goods going north and US$381.9 billion of Canadian goods coming south.55 Statistics Canada, counting its own way, says Canada sold 5.8 percent less to the United States in 2025 than the year before and bought 2.9 percent less, and that the United States still took 71.7 percent of everything Canada exported, down from 75.9 percent in 2024.58
The two countries traded about US$715 billion in goods in 2025. The Census Bureau counts US$333.6 billion of American goods going north and US$381.9 billion of Canadian goods coming south.55
Statistics Canada, counting its own way, says Canada sold 5.8 percent less to the United States in 2025 than the year before and bought 2.9 percent less, and that the United States still took 71.7 percent of everything Canada exported, down from 75.9 percent in 2024.58
Against those totals, the goods in this fight are a slice. Finance Canada's C$27.6 billion is about US$20 billion at the Bank of Canada's August 25 rate, and the U.S. Trade Representative put the American duties at "nearly $20 billion in imports from Canada".834 The White House fact sheet of July 20 names the rate, the law, and the three baskets, but no dollar figure.1 What is not a slice is the rate. The listed lines pay 15, 25, or 50 percent of their value, in a trading relationship Canada's own spring update had described, before any of this, as "approximately 85% of our goods trade tariff-free," with an average Canadian tariff of 5.2 percent against a world average of 11.4.46
Against those totals, the goods in this fight are a slice. Finance Canada's C$27.6 billion is about US$20 billion at the Bank of Canada's August 25 rate, and the U.S. Trade Representative put the American duties at "nearly $20 billion in imports from Canada".834
The White House fact sheet of July 20 names the rate, the law, and the three baskets, but no dollar figure.1
What is not a slice is the rate. The listed lines pay 15, 25, or 50 percent of their value, in a trading relationship Canada's own spring update had described, before any of this, as "approximately 85% of our goods trade tariff-free," with an average Canadian tariff of 5.2 percent against a world average of 11.4.46
Section 338 had never been used. The Congressional Research Service wrote in February 2025 that the United States had never imposed tariffs under it, and no court has ruled on a Section 338 duty.27 The July 20 proclamations came five months after the Supreme Court held, in Learning Resources v. Trump, that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, the 1977 law the administration had used for its earlier tariffs, "does not authorize the President to impose tariffs."28 The trade representative said that day that "alternative tools would be implemented" and named three of them; Section 338 was not on the list.29 Besides the duty of up to 50 percent, the law lets the President declare that a country's products "shall be excluded from importation", and the September 8 proclamations use that power.37
Section 338 had never been used. The Congressional Research Service wrote in February 2025 that the United States had never imposed tariffs under it, and no court has ruled on a Section 338 duty.27
The July 20 proclamations came five months after the Supreme Court held, in Learning Resources v. Trump, that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, the 1977 law the administration had used for its earlier tariffs, "does not authorize the President to impose tariffs."28
The trade representative said that day that "alternative tools would be implemented" and named three of them; Section 338 was not on the list.29
Besides the duty of up to 50 percent, the law lets the President declare that a country's products "shall be excluded from importation", and the September 8 proclamations use that power.37
The law also sets a clock: new duties are levied "thirty days after the date of such proclamation".37 The July 20 proclamations set August 19, 30 days later.2 The September 8 changes make the newly added lines dutiable from September 15, 7 days after, on the strength of the President's power to amend an earlier proclamation.14
The law also sets a clock: new duties are levied "thirty days after the date of such proclamation".37
The July 20 proclamations set August 19, 30 days later.2
The September 8 changes make the newly added lines dutiable from September 15, 7 days after, on the strength of the President's power to amend an earlier proclamation.14
Counted from the Finance Canada table dated August 26, 2026. The August 25 version has 874 lines.
The Finance list is the two orders, line for lineCanadian tariff items counted from the English schedules of PC 2026-0785 and PC 2026-0786 and from the Finance August 26 HTML table. U.S. July 20 Annex I counted as unique HTSUS 8-digit lines, a different unit.
Count
What it is
How it was counted
21
PC 2026-0785 Schedule 1, 15 percent
English schedule
172
PC 2026-0785 Schedule 2, 25 percent
English schedule
142
PC 2026-0785 Schedule 3, 50 percent
English schedule
335
PC 2026-0785 Schedules 1 to 3, unique
21 + 172 + 142
2
PC 2026-0786 Schedule 1, aluminum 25 percent
English schedule
27
PC 2026-0786 Schedule 1.1, aluminum 50 percent
English schedule
21
PC 2026-0786 Schedule 2, steel 25 percent
English schedule
244
PC 2026-0786 Schedule 2.1, steel 50 percent
English schedule
294
PC 2026-0786 Schedules 1 to 2.1, unique
2 + 27 + 21 + 244
0
Codes on both orders
unique-code overlap
629
Union of the two orders, Canadian tariff items
335 + 294
629
Finance August 26 table, unique Canadian tariff items
Finance table
555
U.S. July 20 Annex I, unique HTSUS 8-digit lines
52 dairy + 63 alcohol + 440 motor-vehicles basket
0
Finance last-column rate differs from its schedule
Finance table versus the two orders
335 plus 294 is 629, the same unique-code total as the Finance table, with 0 overlap and 0 rate mismatches.1030
English schedules only: PC 2026-0785 file offsets 7090 to 11003 for Schedules 1 to 3; PC 2026-0786 file offsets 3038 to 9151 for Schedules 1, 1.1, 2, and 2.1. Finance rates taken from the last column of each HTML table row.
The coverage dollars against the Census 2025 export totalFinance Canada's C$27.6 billion converts to about US$20 billion at the August 25 Bank of Canada rate. Census totals are in U.S. dollars.
Figure
What it is
Record
C$27.6 billion
U.S. goods Canada says the new U.S. 50 percent duties cover, effective August 22. Finance prints no currency tag. Canadian dollars, as converted by BBC and the Detroit News and checked against the Bank of Canada rate
Finance Canada, August 25
C$27.6 billion
U.S. imports Canada says its counter-tariffs cover, from September 8. Same figure
Finance Canada, August 25
US$19.94 billion
C$27.6 billion divided by the Bank of Canada USD/CAD daily average of 1.3839 on August 25
Bank of Canada valet
nearly US$20 billion
USTR's July 20 figure for the goods the three Section 338 actions cover, as imports from Canada
USTR, July 20
nearly C$28bn ($20bn; £15bn)
BBC conversion of the Canadian coverage figure on announcement day
BBC, August 25
C$27.6 billion ($19.94 billion)
Detroit News conversion of the same figure
Detroit News, August 25
US$333.6 billion
U.S. goods exports to Canada, 2025, U.S. dollars
Census Bureau c1220
US$381.9 billion
U.S. goods imports from Canada, 2025, U.S. dollars
Census Bureau c1220
Twenty billion is 6 percent of the Census 2025 export total.55
Census annual totals taken from the Census Bureau goods-with-Canada table. Finance figures from the August 25 release. Rate from Bank of Canada valet FXUSDCAD for August 25, 2026.
Finance's public list and the two cabinet orders are the same lines.30 The U.S. July 20 annexes, counted the same way, run to 555 lines: 52 dairy, 63 alcohol, 440 in the motor-vehicles basket. An American tariff line and a Canadian tariff item are different units, so the two counts do not compare.40
Finance's public list and the two cabinet orders are the same lines.30
The U.S. July 20 annexes, counted the same way, run to 555 lines: 52 dairy, 63 alcohol, 440 in the motor-vehicles basket. An American tariff line and a Canadian tariff item are different units, so the two counts do not compare.40
This is a partial return to broad counter-tariffs. A year earlier, on September 1, 2025, Canada had removed its surtaxes on $30.3 billion of consumer goods and $14.4 billion of other goods, citing supply chains and consumer prices.48
This is a partial return to broad counter-tariffs. A year earlier, on September 1, 2025, Canada had removed its surtaxes on $30.3 billion of consumer goods and $14.4 billion of other goods, citing supply chains and consumer prices.48
The charge falls on goods that count as American under the origin rules of CUSMA, the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement that replaced NAFTA in 2020.11 That agreement's first mandatory review fell on July 1, 2026. Canada and Mexico said they wanted it renewed for another 16 years; the United States did not agree, so the three countries now review it every year and it stays in force until 2036.6472 The records do not say that outcome led to the July 20 proclamations. It sits before them on the timeline.
The charge falls on goods that count as American under the origin rules of CUSMA, the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement that replaced NAFTA in 2020.11
That agreement's first mandatory review fell on July 1, 2026. Canada and Mexico said they wanted it renewed for another 16 years; the United States did not agree, so the three countries now review it every year and it stays in force until 2036.6472
11CBSA Customs Notice 26-23Determination of Country of Origin for the Purpose of Marking Goods (CUSMA Countries) Regulations
64CUSMA joint-review pageThe first Joint Review must take place on the 6th anniversary of the Agreement’s entry into force, which is July 1, 2026
The Canadian charge is paid at Canada's border by the importer, the business bringing the U.S. goods in, which must declare the surtax and pay it before the goods clear. It applies to commercial and personal shipments alike, small parcels included. What is on the list is what a shopper would recognize: milk powders and cheese, perfume, cotton T-shirts, smartphones, window air conditioners, furniture, and the steel and aluminum that had already been paying 25 percent and now pay 50.119
The Canadian charge is paid at Canada's border by the importer, the business bringing the U.S. goods in, which must declare the surtax and pay it before the goods clear. It applies to commercial and personal shipments alike, small parcels included. What is on the list is what a shopper would recognize: milk powders and cheese, perfume, cotton T-shirts, smartphones, window air conditioners, furniture, and the steel and aluminum that had already been paying 25 percent and now pay 50.119
Whether that reaches a household's bill is not measured yet. The Bank of Canada, holding its rate at 2.25 percent on September 2, wrote that the new U.S. tariffs and Canada's answer "will also raise costs for some businesses and could feed into consumer prices over time." Its own past work found that tariffs mostly pass through to consumer prices, and its planning scenarios assume three quarters of the cost does within a year and a half. Carney said it plainly on August 22: the step "will raise costs and reduce choice for Canadians", and some U.S. companies and states "are innocent bystanders in a dispute they did not want."60477
Whether that reaches a household's bill is not measured yet. The Bank of Canada, holding its rate at 2.25 percent on September 2, wrote that the new U.S. tariffs and Canada's answer "will also raise costs for some businesses and could feed into consumer prices over time." Its own past work found that tariffs mostly pass through to consumer prices, and its planning scenarios assume three quarters of the cost does within a year and a half. Carney said it plainly on August 22: the step "will raise costs and reduce choice for Canadians", and some U.S. companies and states "are innocent bystanders in a dispute they did not want."60477
Some importers pay nothing. The order does not charge goods already in transit, goods brought in to be re-exported, or imports for Campobello Island, and it refunds the surtax for public health, public safety, and national security uses and for goods used in manufacturing, food processing, and farming. Existing relief for automakers that keep producing in Canada stays in place.1013
Some importers pay nothing. The order does not charge goods already in transit, goods brought in to be re-exported, or imports for Campobello Island, and it refunds the surtax for public health, public safety, and national security uses and for goods used in manufacturing, food processing, and farming. Existing relief for automakers that keep producing in Canada stays in place.1013
On the Canadian side of the U.S. duties, the C$7.5 billion is aimed at the sectors Carney named as hit hardest, autos, forestry, steel, and aluminum, and comes "on top of nearly $25 billion already delivered". Ontario widened its Protect Ontario Financing Program, up to C$1 billion in loans for payroll, rent, and utilities, to any business whose exports face the new 50 percent, with Premier Doug Ford saying the province "will do whatever it takes to stand up for Ontario workers". Quebec reserved some public contracts for firms with a Quebec or Canadian establishment.796263
On the Canadian side of the U.S. duties, the C$7.5 billion is aimed at the sectors Carney named as hit hardest, autos, forestry, steel, and aluminum, and comes "on top of nearly $25 billion already delivered". Ontario widened its Protect Ontario Financing Program, up to C$1 billion in loans for payroll, rent, and utilities, to any business whose exports face the new 50 percent, with Premier Doug Ford saying the province "will do whatever it takes to stand up for Ontario workers". Quebec reserved some public contracts for firms with a Quebec or Canadian establishment.796263
The U.S. bans of September 29 fall on a narrower group of Canadian exporters, who do not pay a higher duty but lose the U.S. market for those lines outright: whey and molasses producers, makers of motorcycles over 800 cc, and brewers, wineries, and cider makers selling packaged drinks. From September 15 the U.S. 50 percent list also widens to golf carts, outboard motorboats, seats and furniture, specified cheeses, hides, and furskins, while salt, cement, and refined lead come off. The costs are uneven, and Carney said the U.S. tariffs "will hurt some Canadians more than others, and that was by design."2021222379
The U.S. bans of September 29 fall on a narrower group of Canadian exporters, who do not pay a higher duty but lose the U.S. market for those lines outright: whey and molasses producers, makers of motorcycles over 800 cc, and brewers, wineries, and cider makers selling packaged drinks. From September 15 the U.S. 50 percent list also widens to golf carts, outboard motorboats, seats and furniture, specified cheeses, hides, and furskins, while salt, cement, and refined lead come off. The costs are uneven, and Carney said the U.S. tariffs "will hurt some Canadians more than others, and that was by design."2021222379
What the coverage got right, and what it got wrong
Thirteen outlets were checked against the primary records. Nine independent reporting lineages plus one transcript carrier, and fifteen cards below, including a coverage-style row for the September 8 White House fact sheet. PBS carried the Associated Press Toronto dispatch and is not a second lineage. MarketScreener, the Detroit News, and Investing.com carried Reuters. The Winnipeg Free Press carried a transcript of Carney's September 8 video. Errors first.
Winnipeg Free Press, September 8, 2026
transcribed Carney saying new ports, mines, and energy corridors “$500 billion in new private investment.”
Mislabeled. The Major Projects Office lists $192 billion in new investment and $500 billion in future private sector investment.
The video uses new for the office's future figure.
wrote that Section 338 tariff authority “has never been used, let alone tested in court,” and characterized the administration as having “made no attempt to calculate the dollar amount of damage.”
Checks out. The never-used half checks out against CRS, which wrote in February 2025 that the United States had never imposed tariffs under Section 338.
No court has ruled on a Section 338 duty in any record this story cites. The no-attempt-to-calculate line is AP's characterization, not a finding in the proclamations.
wrote that the U.S. imposed 50 percent tariffs on “an estimated 5% worth of Canadian imports,” and that Canada's reply covers “about $20 billion worth of U.S. products.”
Consistent. USTR on July 20 valued the three Section 338 actions at nearly US$20 billion of imports from Canada.
That figure is 5.2 percent of the Census 2025 U.S. import total from Canada (US$381.9 billion). Estimated 5 percent is consistent with that arithmetic.
wrote that the tariffs cover “more than 700 U.S. products” and “around 6 percent of what the U.S. exported to Canada last year,” next to a “$27.6 billion” lead.
Checks out. Six percent is US$20 billion against the Census 2025 export total of US$333.6 billion: that arithmetic checks out.
The 700-product count is unconfirmed. The Finance tables have 874 tariff items on August 25 and 629 on August 26, not 700 products.
75The Hill, September 8around 6 percent of what the U.S. exported to Canada last year
Al Jazeera, September 8, 2026
wrote that Canada “would launch a $5.42bn support package” and that the tariffs apply to “nearly $20bn worth of US imports” and “more than 700 products.”
Consistent. US$5.42 billion is C$7.5 billion divided by the Bank of Canada August 25 rate of 1.3839: consistent.
wrote that the tariffs apply to products covering “C$27.6bn in imports from the US” and quoted the government that they do not apply to goods in transit.
Consistent. The C$ label matches how Finance Canada writes.
The in-transit exception is in the Order and in Customs Notice 26-23.
wrote that Finance Canada dropped seafood and fish products from the list and that the decision was based on “feedback.”
Checks out. The August 26 table has none of the 254 chapter 03 lines that were on the August 25 table, and it adds the nine industrial lines CBC named.
The feedback reason is what CBC reported Finance said. It is not a line on either table.
Reuters, as carried by Investing.com, August 27, 2026
wrote that Canada removed seafood and fish products from the counter-tariff list, quoting Finance: “including removing seafood and fish products from our list of counter tariffs.”
Checks out. The tables match the removal.
This card reads the Reuters text as Investing.com carried it, because reuters.com could not be opened. The reason is what Reuters reported Finance posted, not a government record this story cites.
Checks out. It was checked the same way: the Census export series and the Finance table.
Associated Press, September 8, 2026, wrote that the Canadian tariffs “cover about $20 billion in American goods, roughly 6% of the $333.6 billion the United States exported to Canada last year.” PBS NewsHour carried the same dispatch.The Census 2025 export total is 333,619.7 million dollars, US$333.6 billion as rounded. Twenty billion is 6 percent of that total. The arithmetic checks out on the Census series.74
Finance Canada assigns C$27.6 billion of covered trade to each side. Covered trade is the value of listed imports, not duty liability, revenue collected, trade displaced, or economic harm. Those are five different quantities. Finance's figure is the first.8
Finance has not published that valuation by tariff code and reference period. The figure did not change when 254 seafood lines left the list, and Finance has not said why. See the first catch row.9
Finance also says each Canadian rate is "based on the matching U.S. rate for the same goods." Finance's rate column matches the Canadian orders line for line, which shows the table matches Canadian law. It does not show that each Canadian rate matches the U.S. rate on the same goods, because no product-level match has been published.9
Champagne's quoted line is "dollar-for-dollar, rate for rate." Both halves are Finance's characterizations. The White House fact sheet does not print a matching dollar total. BBC converted the Canadian side as nearly C$28bn ($20bn; £15bn).8
how the 6 percent and the conversions were counted
Spring Economic Update 2026 intro: approximately 85 percent of goods trade tariff-free; chart 0.7 Average Tariff Rate Canada 5.2 Global 11.4. Gazette SOR/2025-181: $30.3 billion consumer goods and $14.4 billion other goods removed from September 1, 2025. Census c1220 TOTAL 2025 exports 333,619.7 million U.S. dollars. 20,000 / 333,619.7 = 0.05995, 6 percent as rounded in the story. Census c1220 TOTAL 2025 imports 381,922.1 million. 20,000 / 381,922.1 = 0.05236, 5.2 percent. Bank of Canada FXUSDCAD August 25 = 1.3839. 27.6 / 1.3839 = 19.94. 7.5 / 1.3839 = 5.42. The 17 days are 2026-09-08 minus 2026-08-22. The 33 days are 2026-08-22 minus 2026-07-20. The original Section 338 clock is 2026-08-19 minus 2026-07-20 = 30 days. The September additions are 2026-09-15 minus 2026-09-08 = 7 days. PC 2026-0785 English Schedules 1 to 3: 21 + 172 + 142 = 335. PC 2026-0786 English Schedules 1, 1.1, 2, 2.1: 2 + 27 + 21 + 244 = 294. Overlap 0. Union 335 + 294 = 629, matching the Finance August 26 HTML table of 629 unique codes. Finance last-column rates versus those schedules: 0 mismatches. Support package 1.5 + 0.5 + 2 + 3.5 = 7.5. August 25 unique codes 874 minus 254 chapter 03 plus 9 added = 629. July 20 Annex I unique HTSUS 8-digit lines: 52 + 63 + 440 = 555. September 8 annex counts are HTSUS product-code lines, including 34 added and 2 removed on the alcohol-scope annex.
The same Tuesday in Washington
What happened next
On September 8 the White House went past duties. Three proclamations exclude listed Canadian dairy, motor-vehicle, and alcoholic-beverage products from importation from 12:01 a.m. eastern on September 29.15 Two more change which goods pay the 50 percent from September 15: 34 lines join the alcoholic-beverages basket and 2 leave it, and the motor-vehicles basket changes the same way.1431
On September 8 the White House went past duties. Three proclamations exclude listed Canadian dairy, motor-vehicle, and alcoholic-beverage products from importation from 12:01 a.m. eastern on September 29.15
Two more change which goods pay the 50 percent from September 15: 34 lines join the alcoholic-beverages basket and 2 leave it, and the motor-vehicles basket changes the same way.1431
That evening Trump went further, on Truth Social: "I am hereby directing the GSA, working with the USTR, to take all necessary steps to REMOVE Canadian-origin products from GSA's Multiple Award Schedules unless Canada restores full and fair reciprocity for American Farmers and Companies."54 The schedules are the catalogues federal agencies buy from, and he put them at more than $50 billion a year. The White House fact sheet of September 8 repeats the direction and does not report a removal.38
That evening Trump went further, on Truth Social: "I am hereby directing the GSA, working with the USTR, to take all necessary steps to REMOVE Canadian-origin products from GSA's Multiple Award Schedules unless Canada restores full and fair reciprocity for American Farmers and Companies."54
The schedules are the catalogues federal agencies buy from, and he put them at more than $50 billion a year. The White House fact sheet of September 8 repeats the direction and does not report a removal.38
54Trump's Truth Social post, September 8I am hereby directing the GSA, working with the USTR, to take all necessary steps to REMOVE Canadian-origin products from GSA's Multiple Award Schedules
He also threatened to block Bombardier, the Canadian planemaker, from selling aircraft in the United States unless it built them there. Bombardier answered that it employs thousands of workers in the United States.80
He also threatened to block Bombardier, the Canadian planemaker, from selling aircraft in the United States unless it built them there. Bombardier answered that it employs thousands of workers in the United States.80
Formal talks have not resumed. A spokesman for Dominic LeBlanc, the minister responsible for Canada-U.S. trade, said officials "remain in contact even though formal talks have not resumed."74 The next dates are September 15, when the U.S. baskets change, and September 29, when the bans begin.
Formal talks have not resumed. A spokesman for Dominic LeBlanc, the minister responsible for Canada-U.S. trade, said officials "remain in contact even though formal talks have not resumed."74
How each side valued its list. The White House fact sheet gives no dollar figure for the goods under the July 20 proclamations; the trade representative's statement gives the American figure, "nearly $20 billion in imports from Canada".34 Finance Canada's releases do not say how it reached C$27.6 billion, by tariff code and reference period; the August 27 release from Sarnia repeats the figure without a method.50 Finance's table does not match each Canadian rate to the U.S. rate on the same goods, which is what its claim that each rate is "based on the matching U.S. rate for the same goods" would need.9
How each side valued its list. The White House fact sheet gives no dollar figure for the goods under the July 20 proclamations; the trade representative's statement gives the American figure, "nearly $20 billion in imports from Canada".34
Finance Canada's releases do not say how it reached C$27.6 billion, by tariff code and reference period; the August 27 release from Sarnia repeats the figure without a method.50
Finance's table does not match each Canadian rate to the U.S. rate on the same goods, which is what its claim that each rate is "based on the matching U.S. rate for the same goods" would need.9
What the surtax will collect. C$27.6 billion is the value of the listed goods, not money coming in. Goods in transit, goods for re-export, refunds for hospitals, factories, food processors, and farms, and the automaker relief all reduce it, and there is no figure yet for what has come in.108
What the surtax will collect. C$27.6 billion is the value of the listed goods, not money coming in. Goods in transit, goods for re-export, refunds for hospitals, factories, food processors, and farms, and the automaker relief all reduce it, and there is no figure yet for what has come in.108
The dairy-basket change. The proclamation banning Canadian dairy refers to a same-day proclamation changing the dairy basket.15 As of September 9 the White House's list of presidential actions showed the alcohol-basket change and the dairy ban but no dairy-basket change, and the Federal Register's public-inspection desk listed no such document.5253
The dairy-basket change. The proclamation banning Canadian dairy refers to a same-day proclamation changing the dairy basket.15
As of September 9 the White House's list of presidential actions showed the alcohol-basket change and the dairy ban but no dairy-basket change, and the Federal Register's public-inspection desk listed no such document.5253
15Proclamation excluding dairy-basket goodsModifying the Scope of Products of Canada Subject to the Additional Duties Imposed To Offset Canadian Discrimination Against the Commerce of the United States With Respect to Dairy
52White House presidential-actions listing, saved September 9Excluding Certain Canadian Products from Importation into the United States in Response to Continued Discrimination Against the Commerce of the United States with Respect to Dairy
Whether the order took effect on September 8. The order comes into force on September 8, or on its registration day if that is later. The customs agency says September 8. The published order does not show a registration date.10
Whether the order took effect on September 8. The order comes into force on September 8, or on its registration day if that is later. The customs agency says September 8. The published order does not show a registration date.10
10Order in Council PC 2026-0785if it is registered after that day, it comes into force on the day on which it is registered
No Canadian court filing or World Trade Organization complaint on the September 8 measures has been made public.
Story updated 2026-09-09.
Sources
The records
Everything this page rests on, numbered where the story cites it. We keep a dated copy of each one.
9Finance Canada product list, August 26 · Department of Finance Canada · the 629-line table, rates, perfume, cheese, smartphones, T-shirts, air conditioners
10Order in Council PC 2026-0785 · September 4, 2026 · the 15/25/50 percent schedules, in-transit exception, coming into force
11CBSA Customs Notice 26-23 · September 7, 2026 · origin rule, in-transit proof, de minimis, remission framework
12CBSA Customs Notice 25-11 · updated September 7, 2026 · the steel and aluminum rate increase to 50 percent
51News: Department of Finance Canada · Department of Finance Canada · the Finance news landing searched on September 9 for an August 25 to 28 methodology page
60Bank of Canada rate decision, September 2 · Bank of Canada · the Bank's line that new U.S. tariffs and Canadian counter-tariffs will raise costs and could feed into consumer prices
62Ontario newsroom release, August 24 · Office of the Premier of Ontario · Ontario's loan program widened to firms hit by the new duties, in the premier's words
69CBP CSMS 69606660, August 21 · U.S. Customs and Border Protection · CBP's August 21 heading rates: 50 percent additional on 9903.03.12 to 9903.03.14, 0 percent additional on 9903.03.15 and 9903.03.16
72Monthly trade report: May 2026 · Global Affairs Canada, Office of the Chief Economist · the July 1 CUSMA review outcome: the United States declined a 16-year renewal
84Detroit News (Reuters), August 25 · published August 25, 2026 · the Reuters dispatch as carried by the Detroit News, including C$27.6 billion ($19.94 billion)