Canada ready to ‘intensify’ trade talks as Trump reportedly prepares to hit more countries with new tariffs – US politics live

Trump Administration Announces New Tariffs on Canadian Goods Under 1930 Trade Act

President Donald Trump signed three proclamations on July 21, 2026, imposing additional tariffs on a range of Canadian products effective in 30 days. The measures were issued under Section 338 of the Trade Act of 1930 and apply to items including wine, hockey sticks, and cement. Goods already covered by existing national security tariffs on steel and aluminum are excluded, as are energy products, fish, critical minerals, and potash. The White House stated that the tariffs address what it described as discrimination against U.S. automobiles, alcohol, and cheese.

A White House fact sheet said the actions respond to “continued discrimination against and unreasonable and unequal treatment of U.S. commerce.” The proclamations cite differences in Canadian treatment of U.S. products compared with those from other countries. Some of the targeted goods had previously been protected under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Ottawa is prepared to intensify trade discussions. He described the tariffs as the latest in a series of unilateral U.S. actions that began with earlier duties imposed in connection with fentanyl enforcement. Carney noted that Canada has submitted proposals to resolve outstanding disputes.

The new tariffs follow the expiration of a temporary 10 percent global tariff on Friday. The Financial Times reported that further duties on dozens of countries could be announced this week, with initial rates expected to remain near 10 percent. Additional investigations are under way that could support higher rates. Reuters did not immediately confirm the report.

The USMCA review process began on July 1, 2026. Under the revised schedule, annual reviews replaced the prior automatic 16-year renewal mechanism. U.S. officials have cited trade deficits as a factor in the review.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford stated that Canada should respond with equivalent tariffs if the new duties take effect. Canada’s Conservative Party described the measures as an attack on Canadian workers and businesses. The leader of the New Democratic Party called them the latest in a series of economic actions from the U.S. administration.

Law professor Ilya Somin of George Mason University noted that the tariffs rely on Section 338 of the 1930 Smoot-Hawley legislation. He referenced the statute’s historical role during the Great Depression in comments on the legal challenge to earlier tariff actions.

Several Democratic members of Congress had previously introduced legislation to repeal Section 338, arguing it could be used to affect economic stability. The White House said the 30-day implementation period allows time for negotiations.

In separate developments, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun was scheduled to meet President Trump in Washington on July 21. Lebanese military forces began moving into designated areas in southern Lebanon under an agreement with Israel aimed at disarming Hezbollah. The zones are located near territory entered by Israeli forces after March 2026.

The Pentagon released the names of two U.S. service members killed in a strike on Muwaffaq Salti air base in Jordan on July 18: First Lieutenant Tyler James Feehan, 25, of Ewa Beach, Hawaii, and Private Isabella Gonzales, 19, of Carrollton, Texas. A third service member died in northern Iraq on July 19 during a controlled detonation of unexploded ordnance. Remains possibly belonging to a fourth service member were recovered in Jordan over the weekend.

Salah Sarsour, president of Wisconsin’s largest mosque and a U.S. permanent resident since the late 1990s, was released from immigration detention in June after a federal judge found probable retaliation for his advocacy on Palestinian issues. The Trump administration continues to pursue deportation proceedings. Secretary of State Marco Rubio signed a memo last year stating that Sarsour’s actions undermine U.S. foreign policy on combating antisemitism.

Republican Representative Nancy Mace of South Carolina announced she would not enter the special primary to fill the Senate seat vacated by the late Lindsey Graham.

The administration’s tariff actions occur against the background of the scheduled USMCA review and ongoing bilateral trade discussions. Canadian officials have indicated willingness to continue negotiations during the 30-day period before the new duties take effect.