US President Donald Trump has signed a proclamation banning imports of Canadian alcohol, dairy and motorcycles starting September 29, using Section 338 of the 1930 Tariff Act.
A US importer or distributor of Canadian beer, wine, spirits, dairy ingredients or motorcycles now has about three weeks to move any remaining shipments across the border before the ban takes effect.
The list covers beer, wine, cider, and spirits including whisky, tequila, vodka, gin, rum and liqueurs. It also covers dairy byproducts such as whey protein and cane molasses, and motorcycles and mopeds.
The order follows a proclamation last month that temporarily suspended extra duties on the same three categories while the two countries negotiated. That suspension window has now ended without a deal.
The administration says Canada discriminates against US alcohol by banning or restricting it in ways it doesn’t apply to other countries’ products, and that Canada kept up those restrictions even after the temporary suspension.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney called the fallout “tough times ahead”, but said the alternative to standing firm “would be far worse.” Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc said Canada remains open to talks: “When the US is ready to engage, our government will work in good faith” toward “a more secure, mutually beneficial trading relationship.”
