Ottawa hits back: $27.6B in counter-tariffs on U.S. goods take effect September 8

THREAT · Export Alberta · Trade policy

After Canada-U.S. trade negotiations collapsed, Ottawa announced retaliatory tariffs on $27.6 billion worth of U.S. imports, effective September 8. Roughly 700 American products are affected: 50% duties on steel, aluminum, furniture, clothing, milk products, honey, paper, plywood, doors, windows and kitchenware; 25% on seafood, cheese, carpets and large appliances; and 15% on air-conditioning machines. Energy products and potash were notably excluded, and the package arrives alongside a $7.5-billion federal support program that includes expanded EI eligibility and extra benefit weeks for long-tenured workers (CP24).

The escalation is already showing up in the currency: the loonie has slipped to about 1.385 per U.S. dollar from a three-month high of 1.376 on August 21 (Trading Economics), and Washington has threatened 50% tariffs on Canadian automotive products and steel effective January 1, 2027.

What it means: If you export or manufacture in Alberta, two clocks are now running — September 8 for higher costs on U.S.-sourced inputs like steel, paper and packaging components, and January 2027 for the next round of U.S. escalation. Audit your bill of materials for U.S.-origin inputs, confirm your CUSMA certification is airtight, and start pricing alternative suppliers now rather than after the duties land.