WASHINGTON — The Canada-U.S. trade war has intensified sharply after President Donald Trump signed five executive orders restricting Canadian imports, following Ottawa’s latest retaliatory tariffs on American goods.
The new U.S. measures, expected to take effect later this month, will completely bar imports of certain Canadian alcoholic beverages, dairy products and motorcycles.
U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer blamed Canada for the escalation, calling Washington’s action a “natural consequence” of what he described as discriminatory treatment of American exports. He claimed Canada walked away from a near-final trade agreement and instead chose retaliation.
Trump has also directed the U.S. government procurement system to remove Canadian-origin products from certain purchasing schedules, declaring: “NO RECIPROCITY — NO ACCESS!” The precise scope of that measure remains unclear.
Prime Minister Mark Carney defended Ottawa’s position, acknowledging that reducing Canada’s dependence on the U.S. will carry economic costs but arguing that the alternative would be worse.
Canadian premiers have largely supported Ottawa’s response while warning that escalating tariffs ultimately mean higher costs for businesses and consumers on both sides of the border.
Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc said Ottawa is assessing the latest measures and remains prepared to resume negotiations that respect Canadian sovereignty.
The latest confrontation represents another major deterioration in one of the world’s largest trading relationships, raising the prospect of further tariffs, disrupted supply chains and higher consumer prices in both Canada and the United States.