U.S. President Donald Trump has slammed Canada with an additional 50 per cent tariff, citing Canada’s discriminatory treatment of U.S. commerce, brands and products.

The White House, in a statement, announced that Mr Trump signed the proclamation imposing the 50 per cent tariff on Canada.

“Today, President Donald J. Trump signed three Proclamations pursuant to Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930 to impose additional 50% tariffs on certain goods of Canada in response to Canada’s discriminatory treatment of American products. By doing so, President Trump is offsetting the burden and disadvantage on U.S. commerce from Canada’s discriminatory treatment of U.S. commerce and is leveling the playing field for crucial American exports—cars, alcohol, and dairy,” the White House said.

According to the White House, each Section 338 proclamation imposes a 50% tariff on a different set of Canadian imports, covering products ranging from wine to hockey sticks to cement. These Section 338 tariffs apply to all covered goods regardless of whether the goods originate under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).

However, the Section 338 tariffs will not apply to energy, potash, products subject to tariffs under Section 232, and certain other goods, such as fish and critical minerals. The tariffs will take effect 30 days after signing and are designed to offset the burden and disadvantage on U.S. commerce resulting from Canada’s discrimination.

The White House said, “President Trump is taking action to hold Canada accountable for its continued discrimination against and unreasonable and unequal treatment of U.S. commerce that has burdened and disadvantaged hardworking Americans.”

Citing Canada’s policies that have decreased imports of U.S. products but increased imports from other countries, the White House said, “Canada imposes certain tariffs and quotas on cars imported to Canada from the U.S., but not on imports from other countries.  Canada also administers these quotas in a way that compels U.S. auto companies to invest in production in Canada instead of the United States.”

It added, “From April 2025 through March 2026, Canadian imports of U.S. motor vehicles decreased by approximately 22%, or $5.6 billion, compared to the same period in 2024-2025. Exports of motor vehicles from other countries to Canada have increased to meet the demand previously filled by U.S. exports.”

According to the White House, all but two Canadian provinces and territories have halted the purchase, distribution, or retailing of U.S. alcoholic beverages and have not imposed similar restrictions on other countries. From March 2025 through February 2026, Canadian imports of U.S. alcoholic beverages decreased by about 81%, or $582 million, compared to the same period in 2024-2025.

The White House added, “As part of its complicated and protectionist dairy system, Canada established tariff-rate quotas on U.S. cheese that are much more restrictive than the tariff-rate quotas imposed on similar imports of cheese into Canada from the EU, despite Canada having trade agreements with both the U.S. and the EU.”