For a year and a half, “CUSMA-compliant” was the magic phrase of this trade war. On August 22, it stopped working. What changed In the earlier rounds, trade-agreement compliance mattered enormously: tariffs on goods meeting USMCA/CUSMA rules were indefinitely deferred in the 2025 IEEPA-era measures, which made origin certification the difference between 0% and 25%-plus. … Read more

When Canada “imposes counter-tariffs,” the legal instrument is a surtax. Understanding the machinery tells you what to watch for on September 8 — and where the relief valves are. The machinery Counter-tariff surtaxes are imposed by Order in Council under the Customs Tariff, published in the Canada Gazette, and administered by the Canada Border Services … Read more

Alberta sits near the centre of this trade war, whichever direction it escalates. The province’s exposure runs both ways — exports and imports — and the published numbers make it concrete. The export side According to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business’s Alberta director, roughly 40% of the province’s small businesses export to the US. … Read more

Ottawa is funding tariff adaptation directly. The Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) is a federal program — roughly $1.95 billion — delivered through Canada’s regional development agencies to help businesses hit by tariffs and shifting trade conditions adapt, retool, and reach new markets. How it is delivered RTRI runs through the regional development agencies rather … Read more

A tariff is collected from the importer, not the exporter. That one fact explains most of what is happening on both sides of the Canada–US border right now. The legal answer When goods cross a border, the importer of record — the business bringing the goods in — pays the duty to the customs authority: … Read more

Canada will impose retaliatory tariffs on US goods starting September 8, 2026, matching the new US measures dollar for dollar. The announcement came hours after US 50% tariffs on roughly US$20 billion of Canadian goods took effect on August 22. What is confirmed The start date: September 8, 2026. The scale: matching the US action … Read more

As of 12:01 a.m. ET on August 22, 2026, the United States is charging a 50% tariff on roughly US$20 billion worth of Canadian goods. The tariffs took effect after three days of negotiations in Washington ended without a deal. What is covered The measures were imposed through three presidential proclamations issued under Section 338 … Read more