Trump imposes import ban on Canadian products: Motorcycles, dairy products, and alcoholic beverages targeted

US President Donald Trump has signed new presidential proclamations expanding trade measures against certain products originating from Canada. According to the proclamations released by the White House, the import of specific motorcycles, dairy products, and alcoholic beverages into the US will be banned starting September 29.

The Washington administration argued that the decision was taken because Canada follows "discriminatory trade practices" against American products. The proclamations were prepared under Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930.

Three of the five proclamations signed by Trump ban the import of specific Canadian-origin motorcycles, dairy products, and alcoholic beverages that were previously subject to a 50 percent additional customs duty. The White House cited Canada's continued regulation of automotive tariffs, its persistence in "tariff-rate quota discrimination" in dairy products—particularly regarding cheese varieties—and the expansion of state-level restrictions on American-origin alcoholic beverages as reasons for the decision.

According to the proclamations, a 50 percent additional customs duty will continue to be applied to products imported before September 29 that have not yet been released for free circulation or withdrawn from a bonded warehouse for consumption. If the import ban is invalidated through judicial or administrative means, a 50 percent additional tax will automatically be imposed on the same products.

The other two proclamations modify the scope of the 50 percent additional customs duties implemented against Canada's motor vehicle and alcoholic beverage policies. It was stated that these changes will be effective starting September 15. The proclamations noted that some Canadian products have been added to the list, while some products previously included in the scope have been removed.

NEGOTIATIONS YIELDED NO RESULTS

In July, the US administration announced that a 50 percent additional customs duty would be applied to certain goods imported from Canada, alleging that the country engages in discriminatory practices against American products. It was announced that the product groups in question included various items ranging from wine to hockey sticks and cement.

The additional taxes were planned to take effect on August 19, but the implementation was suspended for three days on August 18 in line with negotiation commitments. Following the failure of the talks, the tariffs went into effect on August 22.

The Canadian administration had also announced that it would impose customs duties of 15, 25, or 50 percent on certain American products in response to the US's 50 percent tariffs. These retaliatory tariffs began to be applied on September 8.

News Source: 12punto