On-again, off-again commerce talks between the U.S. and Canada have emerged as the newest flashpoint in fraught financial relations between the 2 international locations since President Donald Trump took workplace.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney mentioned late Sunday that commerce discussions had resumed after Canada put aside plans for a Digital Service Tax, which might have imposed a 3% levy on U.S. know-how firms. Days earlier, Trump suspended talks over the tax. The 2 sides beforehand set a deadline of July 21 for a commerce deal.
Beneath is a timeline of the united statesCanada commerce dispute, and the place it stands now.
Nov. 25, 2024 – Lower than three weeks after his election victory, Trump announced on Fact Social plans to put 25% tariffs on all imports from Canada and Mexico, citing an alleged failure to safe their respective borders with the U.S.
Jan. 20 – Trump signed a memo calling on Cupboard members to “assess the illegal migration and fentanyl flows” from Canada, Mexico and China. Afterward, officers ought to “suggest applicable commerce and nationwide safety measures to resolve that emergency,” the memo mentioned.
Feb. 1 – Trump ordered 25% tariffs on items from Mexico and Canada, in addition to 10% tariffs on imports from China. The White Home mentioned the tariffs would take impact on Feb. 4.
Feb. 3 – Trump announced a one-month pause of tariffs on Canada and Mexico after reaching agreements with every nation that included commitments to bolster border enforcement.
Feb. 27 – Trump affirmed plans to impose 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico when the one-month delay expires on March 4.
March 3 – Talking on the White Home, Trump reiterated plans to maneuver ahead with a recent spherical of tariffs the next day. Inside minutes, the inventory market tumbled. The S&P 500 closed down 1.7%, its worst buying and selling day since December.
March 4 – Tariffs on items from Canada, Mexico and China took effect at 12:01 a.m. ET. A near-instant commerce battle broke out. China and Canada every responded with retaliatory tariffs, vowing further measures. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum slammed Trump’s tariffs however mentioned she would maintain off on retaliatory measures till after a dialog with him.
March 5 – Trump ordered a one-month delay of auto tariffs after a request from the “Massive 3” U.S. automakers: Ford, Common Motors and Stellantis, the dad or mum firm of Jeep and Chrysler.
March 6 – Trump signed government orders briefly pausing tariffs on Canadian and Mexican items compliant with the United States-Mexico-Canada Settlement, or USMCA, a free commerce settlement.
March 9 – Canada selected new Prime Minister-elect Mark Carney. In his acceptance speech, Carney addressed Trump’s tariffs on Canada and the risk posed by Trump, calling the occasions the “biggest disaster of our lifetimes.”
March 11 – Ontario Premier Doug Ford threatened to impose a 25% surcharge on electrical energy from the province despatched to U.S. clients in response to earlier U.S. tariffs on Canadian items. In response, Trump threatened to double metal and aluminum tariffs particularly for Canada.
March 12 – The U.S. imposed 25% tariffs on all metal and aluminum imports. Trump opted towards doubling the levy for Canada after an settlement was reached and Ford pulled again his risk to impose the electrical energy surcharge. Canada introduced retaliatory tariffs on about $20.7 billion in U.S. items.
A truck with autos crosses the Blue Water Bridge border crossing into the US from Sarnia, Ontario, Canada, April 3, 2025.
Geoff Robins/AFP through Getty Pictures
April 2 – Trump proclaims “Liberation Day” tariffs, however Canada is excluded from a steep set of so-called reciprocal tariffs in addition to a common 10% tariff on almost all imports.
April 3 – Tariffs of 25% on autos imported into the U.S. took effect. Mexico and Canada make up the highest two U.S. buying and selling companions for each completed motor autos, accounting for almost half of all U.S. imports, in line with an evaluation of knowledge from the U.S. Worldwide Commerce Fee by Cato Institute, a right-leaning suppose tank. Carney slammed the coverage, saying it signaled the tip of a “system of world commerce anchored on the US.”
April 9 – Canada slapped 25% retaliatory tariffs on non-USMCA compliant autos from the U.S.
April 15 – In an effort to ease tariff-related enterprise impacts, Canada issued a six-month pause on levies for U.S. items which can be utilized in Canadian manufacturing, processing and meals and beverage packaging, in addition to these used for public well being and nationwide safety initiatives.
April 28 – Liberals won essentially the most seats in Canadian parliament, cementing the celebration’s maintain on energy and Carney’s function as prime minister. In a social media put up early within the day, Trump instructed that Canadians ought to vote for him to ensure that Canada to grow to be the 51st state.
Might 6 – Carney visited Trump within the Oval Workplace, telling him Canada is “not on the market” after Trump repeated his assertion it ought to grow to be the 51st state.
Might 28 – Two separate federal courts invalidated a few of Trump’s steepest tariffs, together with 25% tariffs on Canadian items. The rulings centered on Trump’s unprecedented invocation of the Worldwide Financial Emergency Powers Act as a authorized justification for levies.
Might 29 – A federal appeals courtroom moved to briefly reinstate the tariffs outlawed a day earlier.
June 2 – Trump ratcheted up a tax on all overseas metal and aluminum from 25% to 50%.
June 16 – On the G7 summit in Alberta, Canada, Carney and Trump mentioned the U.S. and Canada would attain a commerce deal inside 30 days.
June 27 – Trump mentioned he would droop the U.S.-Canada commerce talks because of Canada’s plans to maneuver ahead with a tax on U.S. know-how firms.
June 29 – Carney mentioned commerce talks between the U.S. and Canada had resumed after Canada retracted its plan to tax tech corporations.
