Canada targets steel, fish and hundreds of other goods as trade war escalates

Canada struck back at the United States on Tuesday with retaliatory tariffs on about $20 billion worth of American goods, including steel, dairy products, appliances and farm equipment, as the trade war between the once-friendly neighbors escalated sharply.

Ottawa released a list of more than 700 targets Tuesday. Starting Sept. 8, Canada’s government says it will impose steeper import taxes on goods ranging from fish and cheese to smartphones and steel imported from the United States.

The new tariffs extend well beyond industrial goods, hitting everyday purchases such as clothing, cosmetics, and toilet paper, with some facing duties as high as 50%.

Canada said it was focusing its retaliation on products “most affected by U.S. tariffs.” The levies will be set at 15%, 25% or 50%—rates the government said would match U.S. tariffs on goods targeted in Washington’s latest round, as well as products covered by previously imposed sectoral duties.

“We did not choose this conflict, but when our economic integration is used as a weapon rather than the foundation for a win-win partnership, we need to stand up,” Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne said in French, calling the situation “an unprecedented challenge imposed on Canada.”

Industry Minister Mélanie Joly urged Canadians to buy Canadian goods, saying doing so would help protect jobs and launch a “movement of resistance.” She said the tariffs would put pressure on particular U.S. states.

Maine, Ohio, Michigan, Iowa, and Alaska boast industries including fisheries, auto parts, lumber and produce that export items across the northern border.

For Minnesota, Canada is the state’s largest export market. Minnesota exported $5.6 billion in goods to Canada in 2025, representing 24% of the state’s total goods exports across various sectors.

The tariffs could have implications for industries across northern Minnesota, including the Iron Range, where the mining industry is closely tied to the North American auto supply chain, said Sen. Grant Hauschild this week.

“The Iron Range supplies 80% of the ore used in American cars. And because vehicles and parts cross the Canadian border multiple times during production, these new tariffs could drive up car prices and put even more pressure on our mines,” said Hauschild in a social media post.

U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, who is running for Minnesota Governor, also released a statement this week opposing the Trump administration’s tariffs, citing their potential impact on Minnesota businesses and consumers.

“Canada is Minnesota’s top trading partner and our economies and communities are deeply connected,” Klobuchar said.

Klobuchar’s opponent in the November election, Rep. Lisa Demuth, also commented on the ongoing tariff negotiations, saying in a social media post, “Since the tariffs were announced, Minnesotans from across the state have expressed to me their concerns about these tariffs. I encourage the Trump administration and the Canadian government to restart talks to Minnesota businesses and consumers are not hurt. We must find a better path forward.”

Canada’s retaliation came after the Trump administration imposed 50% tariffs over the weekend on Canadian goods following the collapse of trade negotiations. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney accused Washington of trying to subordinate Canada and said U.S. demands during the failed talks showed that Americans wanted to “destroy our major industries.”

Canadian officials said the tariff’s set to take effect at 12:01 a.m. Sept. 8 and will only apply to goods originating from the U.S. Additional details on the administration of these tariffs will be made available on the Canada Border Services Agency website:  Customs Notices (cbsa-asfc.gc.ca)

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

Kalli Hawkins August 26, 2026