OTTAWA – Donald Trump was elected to a second term as U.S. President in 2024 and it’s been a roller-coaster ever since for Canadian leaders and businesses. He has threatened, enacted, modified and delayed multiple rounds of tariffs, only to announce additional protectionist trade policies are to come.
One year of digital access for only $205*
*Your next Brandon Sun subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $17.95 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $24.95 plus GST every four weeks.
OTTAWA – Donald Trump was elected to a second term as U.S. President in 2024 and it’s been a roller-coaster ever since for Canadian leaders and businesses. He has threatened, enacted, modified and delayed multiple rounds of tariffs, only to announce additional protectionist trade policies are to come.
OTTAWA – Donald Trump was elected to a second term as U.S. President in 2024 and it’s been a roller-coaster ever since for Canadian leaders and businesses. He has threatened, enacted, modified and delayed multiple rounds of tariffs, only to announce additional protectionist trade policies are to come.
Here’s a timeline of the key dates in Trump’s tariff journey.
Trump pledges to impose a 25 per cent tariff on all Canadian and Mexican imports when he takes office, saying it will remain until both countries stop drugs, particularly fentanyl, and people from illegally crossing American borders.
Feb. 1 — Trump signs an order imposing blanket tariffs of 25 per cent on virtually all goods entering the U.S. from Canada and Mexico, and a reduced 10 per cent tariff on energy. These tariffs are variously known as the IEEPA tariffs, or fentanyl tariffs, named for the International Emergency Economic Powers Act that Trump invoked and his justification for using them.
Then-prime minister Justin Trudeau outlines Canada’s planned retaliation strategy, including immediate counter-tariffs. Canadian provinces start pulling American alcohol from liquor-store shelves at provincially owned distributors.
Feb. 10 — Trump signs a plan to institute a new set of 25 per cent tariffs on all steel and aluminum entering the U.S. These sector-specific tariffs are separate from the previous set, and based on a different rationale.
March 4 — Trump’s tariffs on Canadian and Mexican goods go ahead after a month-long pause, despite hopes that border security measures Canada took could stave them off. In response, Trudeau announces broad retaliatory tariffs on U.S. food, alcohol, furniture, paper and more.
March 6 — Trump pauses some new duties on Canada and Mexico and reduces potash levies to 10 per cent. The White House says the duties would not apply to goods compliant under the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement on trade, better known as CUSMA.
March 12 — The 25 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminum take effect. Canada hits the U.S. with a second tranche of retaliation, enacting 25 per cent tariffs on $29.8 billion in U.S. goods, targeting steel and aluminum as well as other products including computers, sports equipment and cast iron goods.
March 14 — Mark Carney succeeds Trudeau as Canada’s prime minister.
March 26 — Trump announces 25 per cent sector-specific tariffs on automobile imports. The White House says automobiles imported under CUSMA will only be taxed on the value of content not made in the United States. Vehicle parts that fall under the trade deal also escape duties.
Source: Read the original article on www.winnipegfreepress.com