President Donald Trump delayed the effective date of Canadian tariff duties by three days, pushing back levies linked to U.S. disputes with Canada over alcoholic beverages, dairy, and motor vehicles. The duties will now take effect at 12:01 a.m. Eastern time on Aug. 22, rather than Aug. 19, under a proclamation signed Aug. 18.
The additional ad valorem duties had been ordered in three July 20 proclamations under Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930. The White House said the measures were intended to offset what the administration described as Canadian discrimination or unequal treatment affecting U.S. commerce.
Canadian Tariff Duties Delayed Amid Negotiations
The proclamation said senior executive branch officials had provided information and recommendations on the status of negotiations between the United States and Canada. According to those officials, Canada expressed a commitment to remove the measures at issue, and they concluded that the public interest favored a three-day suspension.
The earlier U.S. actions concerned Canada’s restrictions on the purchase, distribution, or retailing of U.S. alcoholic beverages; tariff-rate quota allocation measures affecting U.S. cheeses; and Canada’s motor-vehicle tariff scheme. The White House said the duties applied to certain imports from Canada and were designed to address disadvantages to U.S. alcohol, dairy, auto, and auto-parts exports.
Trump directed executive departments and agencies to take steps to implement the delay and to suspend collection of the additional duties as required. U.S. Customs and Border Protection, in consultation with other officials, will determine whether further changes to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule are needed. Any duty refunds required by implementation will be processed under applicable law and standard CBP procedures.
