The Trump administration has intensified its ongoing trade war with Canada by imposing fresh import bans on specific Canadian goods, including alcohol. These bans are scheduled to come into effect on Sept. 29.
On Tuesday, the White House issued new executive orders that prohibit certain Canadian products from being imported into the U.S. The list encompasses beer, wine, whiskies, vodka, and other spirits. The orders also target other goods like motorcycles, molasses, whey products, and non-alcoholic beer.
Furthermore, several cheese products were added to a list facing a 50% tariff rather than outright import bans.
Notably, Japanese brewer Sapporo is considering moving a limited amount of non-alcoholic beverage production from Canada to the U.S. due to tariff risks, though no final decision has been made, Reuters reported. The company owns Ontario-based Sleeman Breweries, while Canada contributes more than half of Sapporo’s overseas beer sales.
Sapporo did not immediately respond to Benzinga’s request for comment.
Trump Team Warns Canada Over Tariffs
U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer defended these import bans as a “natural consequence” of Canada’s trade strategies. In a press release, Greer accused Canada of “senseless retaliation” and “discriminatory treatment of crucial American exports.”
Greer also alleged that Canada had abandoned a “near-final trade deal” that would have provided better treatment than any other trading partner.
Meanwhile, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, in an interview at Breitbart News’ State of the Economy event, warned Canada to proceed cautiously after imposing retaliatory tariffs. He argued that Canada had sought the advantages of “being a state without being a state.” Bessent also noted that with trade uncertainty, companies faced with the option of moving manufacturing will choose the U.S. over Canada.
Canada Expands Trade Beyond US
These new measures come as Canada’s retaliatory tariffs on over $20 billion of U.S. goods, including milk, perfume, video game consoles, golf clubs, fishing rods, steel, aluminum, and clothing, came into effect on Tuesday. These tariffs, ranging from 15% to 50%, were announced in late August after the trade talks between Canada and the U.S. fell apart.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney warned that Canada’s shift away from the U.S. will come at a cost, but insists that the alternative would be far worse. Carney has reiterated Canada’s plan to respond to the U.S. trade war by forging new trade deals with other countries to reduce reliance on the U.S.
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
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