US to ban Canadian motorcycle, dairy, alcohol imports as trade war sizzles

According to Business Recorder, the United States has announced import bans on a wide range of Canadian alcoholic drinks, motorcycles and dairy products, with the measures set to start on September 29. The announcement appeared on the White House website on Tuesday, just after Canadian counter-tariffs on American goods came into force following midnight. The move sharply escalates an already bitter trade dispute between the two neighbours.

The bans appear to cover most alcohol products, including beer, several types of wine, whisky, vodka and tequila, as well as whey protein and molasses. Cheese products were added to a list subject to a 50% tariff, while some paper, aluminum, wood and furniture items were also included. A US official said an earlier threat to double tariffs on Canadian autos, to 50% from January 1, still stands.

Prime Minister Mark Carney has urged Canada to pivot further away from its largest trading partner, while some analysts fear the standoff could destabilize the USMCA trade pact. Dominic LeBlanc, Canada's minister responsible for bilateral US trade, criticized the latest measures and said he remains in contact with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. The US tariffs already in place cover about $20 billion, or 5%, of Canadian exports to the US.