A new round of U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods took effect just after midnight on Tuesday, adding 50 per cent levies to 110 products ranging from specific cheeses to motorboats, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and furniture. Categories added to the tariff list include aluminum products, paper and wood products, iron or steel beams, electric lamps and mattresses.
The White House said it would simultaneously remove tariffs on 10 items including salt, sugar, cement, switchboards and toilet paper in an effort to “offset the burden to U.S. commerce while better serving the public interest.” The removals and additions amount to nearly the same economic value, effectively cancelling each other out, experts say.
In addition to new tariffs on Sept. 15, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a pending import ban on Canadian alcohol, motorcycles and a handful of other goods. The import ban doesn’t take effect until Sept. 29.
Experts say the scope of the trade war has grown, and as a result, regional disruptions could lead to job losses and the closure of small businesses.
Source: CBC News
