Canada hits US with counter-tariffs on more than 700 products

What the report says

Canada has announced retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods after trade negotiations with Washington broke down, escalating a tariff fight between the two countries. According to Al Jazeera, Ottawa said the measures will apply to 27.6 billion Canadian dollars ($19.9bn) worth of American imports and will affect more than 700 products.

The Canadian government said the new duties are designed to match the value of the U.S. tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump. The targeted items span several sectors, including steel and aluminium, dairy, appliances, agricultural equipment, pulp and paper, plastics and electronics. The tariffs are set to range from 15 percent to 50 percent and are scheduled to take effect on September 8.

Alongside the counter-tariffs, Canada also announced a 7.5 billion Canadian dollar ($5.42bn) support package for small and medium-sized businesses facing financial strain from the dispute. The move follows a series of U.S. tariff actions, including a 50 percent levy on Canadian products and new duties on Canadian autos announced this week, which Al Jazeera says further deteriorated talks between Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government and the Trump administration.

The dispute matters because it could raise costs for businesses and consumers in both countries and add pressure on sectors tied closely to cross-border trade. Al Jazeera also reported that market reaction was relatively mixed, with commodity and equity prices moving modestly as investors weighed the widening trade conflict.