US President Donald Trump has imposed an additional 50 percent tariff on hundreds of Canadian products. He has accused Ottawa of discriminating against American exports of automobiles, alcoholic beverages, and dairy products. This move has further escalated trade tensions between the two North American neighbors.

Invoking Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930, Trump signed three separate orders imposing new duties on specific Canadian imports. The White House stated that the move aims to alleviate the burden and harm caused to American commerce by Canada’s discriminatory practices and to create a level playing field for US exports—specifically cars, alcohol, and dairy products.

According to the White House, the tariffs will take effect 30 days after being signed, regardless of whether the goods qualify for preferential treatment under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). These measures will not apply to energy, potash, products already subject to Section 232 tariffs, fish, critical minerals, and certain other specific items.

The administration noted that the new tariffs cover a wide range of Canadian imports, spanning products from wine and hockey sticks to cement and consumer goods. An accompanying annex lists hundreds of tariff classifications subject to the additional 50 percent duty.

The White House stated that Canada maintained policies discriminating against US exporters while granting more favorable treatment to other trading partners. It further alleged that Canada imposed tariffs and quota restrictions on American motor vehicles that did not apply to imports from other countries, and managed quotas in a way that incentivized US manufacturers to invest in Canadian production rather than expanding facilities within the United States.