US President Donald Trump has imposed a ban on the import of specific types of dairy products, alcohol and motor vehicles from Canada. The White House announced this information on Tuesday (local time).
The new ban will take effect on September 29. Additionally, a separate decision to modify the scope of the existing 50 percent tariff on Canadian cars and alcoholic products will come into force on September 15.
Goods imported into the US before the ban takes effect—but which have not yet been cleared for consumption—will remain subject to the previous 50 percent tariff.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, a senior US administration official stated that these measures were taken in retaliation for Canada imposing new tariffs on US steel, household appliances, and dairy products.
The official said, “We are banning several types of products. These include dairy products. Most alcoholic products will also fall under this scope… and we have banned the import of motor vehicles from Canada.”
He added that the objective of these measures is to ensure a level playing field, deter retaliatory actions, and, of course, protect US manufacturing.
The administration official further noted that the scope of the tariffs initially imposed on July 20 has been slightly modified. Certain items, such as cement, have been removed from the tariff list. Conversely, products like commercial vehicles, specific types of cheese, and motorboats have been newly brought under the tariff regime.
