US-Canada trade conflict widens as Canada hits US aluminium imports with 50% tariffs
Stock image for referential purposes only
Canada's retaliatory tariffs on US goods, including aluminium and steel products, take effect as Washington intensifies pressure on Canadian industry.
Canada is escalating its trade confrontation with the United States, imposing tariffs of up to 50 per cent on US imports worth CAD 27.6 billion (USD 20 billion), including aluminium and steel products, as tensions between Ottawa and Washington deepen.
The countertariffs take effect at 12:01 am on Tuesday, following the breakdown of trade talks between the two countries. Canada's Finance Ministry confirmed the measures in response to an enquiry from dpa.
The measures cover a broad range of US goods, including steel and aluminium products, household appliances, agricultural equipment, pulp and paper products and electronics.
The move follows tariffs of up to 50 per cent imposed by the Trump administration in August on around USD 20 billion of Canadian goods. Those measures targeted products including hockey sticks, furniture, honey and wine.
To know the production, demand and consumption forecasts on bauxite and alumina, explore the report "Global Bauxite & Alumina Market Forecast to 2036: Supply–Demand, Trade Flows & Price Outlook"
Aluminium caught in widening tariff battle
For Canada's aluminium industry, the latest measures add another layer of uncertainty to cross-border trade with its largest neighbour. Aluminium and steel are among the industrial products covered by Canada's retaliation, putting metals trade directly into the latest phase of the dispute.
The escalation comes after negotiations between Ottawa and Washington failed to produce an agreement, with both sides now moving towards broader tariff measures.
The Canadian response is also significant because it extends beyond a narrow set of consumer products, covering industrial inputs and manufactured goods across several sectors.
Explore primary aluminium suppliers, product listings and trade opportunities on AL Biz
Trump turns pressure on Bombardier
US President Donald Trump on Monday called for Canadian aircraft manufacturer Bombardier to be excluded from the US market unless it shifts production to the United States.
Trump said Bombardier should manufacture its aircraft domestically if it wants to sell them to US customers, renewing his criticism of Canadian treatment of US business jet manufacturer Gulfstream.
He has previously stated tariffs on Canadian aircraft imports and allegedly called out Canada for unfairly restricting US aircraft sales.
Trump again urged Americans to favour domestic products, writing on Truth Social: "BUY AMERICAN. FLY ON AMERICAN AIRLINERS."
His latest comments come as the broader US-Canada trade dispute continues to spill into individual industries and companies.
The US president has also repeatedly suggested that Canada could become the 51st US state and recently shared a map depicting Canada in the colours of the US flag.
Unlock key insights from leading companies and experts across the aluminium ecosystem with our e-Magazine - Mine to Market: Aluminium Producers & Manufacturers 2026
Grow with
AL Circle
