The clock is ticking in the U.S.-Canada trade fight. Import bans covering a range of Canadian products, including alcoholic beverages, dairy ingredients and some motorcycles, were scheduled to take effect at midnight ET Tuesday, Sept. 29, unless the countries reached a last-minute breakthrough.
The restrictions stem from proclamations President Donald Trump signed Sept. 8, accusing Canada of unfairly discriminating against U.S. commerce. The bans target dozens of products and mark the latest escalation in a trade dispute that has rattled businesses on both sides of the border.
On Monday, Sept. 28, Trump signaled he had no plans to back down, while suggesting Canada remained eager to strike a deal. “They call us all the time. The problem is they’ve treated the U.S. very unfairly,” he told reporters in the Oval Office.
What Products Are Affected?
The White House released separate lists covering alcohol, dairy-related products and motorcycles. The restrictions were scheduled to take effect at midnight ET on Tuesday, Sept. 29, absent a last-minute change.
Alcohol Products
According to White House documents, the ban covers dozens of Canadian-made products, including whiskey, wine, beer, vermouth, tequila, vodka and rum.
One major exception may be Crown Royal. A provision allows Canadian whiskey to enter the United States in containers larger than 1 gallon. Crown Royal is distilled and aged in Manitoba, then shipped in bulk to U.S. bottling facilities before reaching consumers — a process that may allow it to avoid the restrictions.
Dairy Products
Dairy has long been a flashpoint in U.S.-Canada trade negotiations. The White House says the restrictions cover products including whey and whey protein, ingredients commonly used in protein powders, nutritional supplements and processed foods.
Whey is the liquid byproduct of making cheese and yogurt. It is also used in food manufacturing and sports nutrition. The Dairy Farmers of Canada called the restrictions “deeply concerning” in comments reported by Global News but did not estimate how much trade could be affected.
Motorcycles
The restrictions also target Canadian-made motorcycles, including certain mopeds and larger bikes. According to White House documents, the ban covers motorcycles and cycles equipped with internal-combustion engines with cylinder capacities greater than 800 cubic centimeters.
The move extends a trade dispute beyond tariffs, touching industries from agriculture and alcohol production to manufacturing and transportation.
USA TODAY’s Rachel Barber contributed to this report.
Add a Comment