Donald Trump Bans Canadian Dairy, Motor Vehicles, and Alcohol in Trade War

President Donald Trump signed executive orders Tuesday banning the sale of Canadian dairy products, motor vehicles and many alcoholic beverages in the U.S., with the bans taking effect on Sept. 29.

“The import bans, which go into effect on September 29”

Reuters

The Hill reported that the orders were signed as retaliatory Canadian tariffs on $27.6 billion worth of American goods took effect, and it said Trump cited Canadian “discrimination” against U.S. dairy, motor vehicles and alcoholic beverages.

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Reuters said the U.S. banned a broad swath of Canadian alcoholic beverages, motorcycles and dairy products from import, and it said the bans go into effect on September 29.R

Reuters also said the U.S. bans came after Canada’s own retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods took effect after midnight on Tuesday, following 50% tariffs the U.S. imposed on some $20 billion of Canadian goods last month after negotiations collapsed.R

AP News said the ban will take effect Sept. 29 and comes after retaliatory tariffs promised by Canada kicked in earlier Tuesday on $20 billion in U.S. imports.

In a video posted on YouTube, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said, “We have everything we need to pivot and prosper,” and Reuters added that he said the pivot would come at a cost.R

Reuters quoted Carney saying, “That pivot will come at a cost. RThere's always a cost to action. But it doesn't come close to the cost of standing still,” as the U.S. measures escalated the dispute.

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The Hill reported that Trump directed the General Services Administration to remove Canadian products from its Multiple Award Schedule “unless Canada restores full and fair reciprocity” for American farmers and companies.

AP News said Carney vowed to speed efforts to become more independent, adding, “It’s about ensuring that no country can hold us hostage. And that we can live how we want to live.”

Reuters reported that U.S. RTrade Representative Jamieson Greer spoke with Dominic LeBlanc and that the pair were expected to speak again to see if there was an alternative path.

Beyond the import bans, Trump directed the General Services Administration to declare Canadian products ineligible for large, long-term U.S. government contracts until Canada allows “full and fair reciprocity″ for American products, according to the Guardian.

“until Canada allows “full and fair reciprocity″ for American products”

The Guardian

The Guardian quoted Carney saying, “It’s about ensuring that no country can hold us hostage. And that we can live how we want to live,” as the rupture upended “one of the world’s closest relationships.”

Reuters said the U.S. official noted Trump’s pre-existing threat to increase tariffs on Canadian autos from 25% to 50% on January 1 remained in effect.R

CBS News said the administration would also slap an additional 50% tariff on cheese products, steel, aluminum and bamboo furniture from Canada starting next Tuesday.

Reuters reported that Ottawa’s counter-tariffs were designed to put “economic and political pressure” on Washington, and it quoted Michael Harvey saying, “What we are worried about is an escalatory spiral.”R