The US will impose tariffs of 35% on Canadian imports starting in August, President Donald Trump announced in a letter to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney posted on his social media platform Truth Social.
This is an increase from the current 25% tariff on Canadian imports that are not covered under the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (CUSMA).
Trump sent the letter to Carney on Thursday outlining the tariff rate, amid ongoing trade negotiations between the two countries.
Trump justified the tariff hike by citing Canada's alleged failure to stop fentanyl from crossing into the US, despite data showing minimal fentanyl flow from Canada compared to the southern US border.
“If Canada works with me to stop the flow of fentanyl, we will, perhaps, consider an adjustment to this letter,” Trump wrote in the letter.
He also criticized Canada's tariffs on American dairy products and the overall trade imbalance.
“Throughout the current trade negotiations with the United States, the Canadian government has steadfastly defended our workers and businesses,” Carney wrote in a post on the social media platform X on Thursday night.
“We will continue to do so as we work towards the revised deadline of August 1.”