Donald Trump loves talking about tariffs. Credit: Anadolu / Getty
The tariffs, announced in a letter Trump uploaded to Truth Social, follow a series of aggressive measures against other nations, including a 50% tariff on Brazil, which could impact global coffee and orange juice supplies.
Trump has also hinted at broad 15-20% tariff hikes for “all of the remaining countries,” signaling his administration’s willingness to extend its protectionist approach.
In his letter to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Trump wrote: “It is a Great Honour for me to send you this letter in that it demonstrates the strength and commitment of our Trading Relationship, and the fact that the United States of America has agreed to continue working with Canada, despite Canada having financially retaliated against the United States.”
He continued: “As you will recall, the United States imposed Tariffs on Canada to deal with our Nation’s Fentanyl crisis, which is caused, in part, by Canada’s failure to stop the drugs from pouring into our Country. Instead of working with the United States, Canada retaliated with its own Tariffs.”
Trump made clear the tariffs will be enforced rigorously, adding: “Starting August 1, 2025, we will charge Canada a Tariff of 35% on Canadian products sent into the United States, separate from all Sectoral Tariffs.”
He further warned that “goods transshipped to evade this higher Tariff will be subject to that higher Tariff” and that any retaliatory move by Canada would trigger further increases.
Trump also offered an alternative for Canadian firms, writing that companies which “build or manufacture product within the United States” would avoid the tariffs and that approvals would be handled “quickly, professionally, and routinely — in other words, in a matter of weeks.”
The US president closed his letter by leaving the door open for negotiations, stating: “If Canada works with me to stop the flow of Fentanyl, we will, perhaps, consider an adjustment to this letter.
“These Tariffs may be modified, upward or downward, depending on our relationship with your Country. You will never be disappointed with The United States of America. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
