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U.S.–Canada Tariffs: Timeline of Key Dates and Documents

February 28, 2025

January 20, 2025

Trump Administration’s America First Trade Policies

U.S. presidential memorandum “America First Trade Policy” outlines trade priorities of the new Trump administration and directs departments to complete various studies by April 1, 2025.

February 1, 2025

Announcement of U.S. Tariffs on Canadian Goods

U.S. executive order Imposing Duties to Address the Flow of Illicit Drugs Across Our Northern Border imposes a 25% tariff on products of Canada except for energy products, which will be subject to a 10% tariff, both effective February 4, 2025.

Announcement of Canadian Retaliatory Tariffs on U.S. Goods

Canada’s order-in-council United States Surtax Order (2025) imposes the countermeasure of a 25% tariff on certain goods originating in the U.S. effective February 4, 2025. A detailed list of Phase 1 impacted goods is available here. The list of Phase 2 goods impacted by this countermeasure has not yet been released and is expected to be subject to a 21‐day consultation period.

February 3, 2025

Pause on U.S.–Canada Tariffs

The U.S. executive order Progress on the Situation at Our Northern Border pauses the February 4, 2025 implementation date for 30 days to March 4, 2025. Canada announces a similar pause on its planned response.

February 10, 2025

Announcement of 25% U.S. Tariffs on Steel and Aluminum Goods

U.S. presidential proclamations “Adjusting Imports of Steel Into the United States” and “Adjusting Imports of Aluminum Into the United States” announce 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum imported from all countries effective March 12, 2025. The proclamations assert that U.S. imports of steel and aluminum pose a national security risk. These tariffs are expected to be cumulative with other tariff measures, meaning up to 50% tariffs on Canadian steel and 35% tariffs on Canadian aluminum, as of March 12, 2025.

February 13, 2025

Announcement of U.S. Reciprocal Tariffs

U.S. memorandum “Reciprocal Trade and Tariffs,” article “President Trump Demands Fair, Reciprocal Trade” and “Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Announces ‘Fair and Reciprocal Plan’ on Trade” announce plans for reciprocal tariffs on all countries that impose tariffs and tax on imports of U.S. goods. Action, including determining the rates for the reciprocal tariffs, is expected after studies are submitted to the President on April 1, 2025.

March 4, 2025

Effective Date for U.S. Tariffs on Canadian Goods and Countermeasures of 25% Canadian Tariffs on Phase 1 List of U.S. Goods

Effective date for the imposition of 25% and 10% U.S. tariffs on products of Canada (originally expected on February 4, 2025), and 25% Canadian tariffs on Phase 1 list of goods through the United States Surtax Order (2025-1)

Canada Initiates Public Consultation Regarding Phase 2 of Counter-Tariffs

Notice of Intent to impose additional counter-tariffs is published by Canada.  The Phase 2 list of U.S. goods subject to tariffs will be drawn from the list of goods available in the notice. The government is seeking views from stakeholders and the Canadian public regarding the impacts of the application of tariffs to the list of potential Phase 2 goods until April 2, 2025.

March 7, 2025

Exemption on U.S. Tariffs for CUSMA-Compliant Goods

U.S. executive order Amendment to Duties to Address the Flow of Illicit Drugs Across Our Northern Border provides an exemption to the U.S. tariffs for any Canadian good that is compliant with CUSMA (i.e., originating in Canada). The tariff rate on non-originating potash has also been reduced from 25% to 10%. These measures are effective 12:01am March 7, 2025 and not retroactive. While it has been reported that this is a pause until April 2, 2025 (the expected date of the reciprocal tariffs), there is no end date in the executive order. 

Canada Pauses Phase 2 Counter-Tariff Implementation

Canada announces a delay of the tariffs on Phase 2 goods until at least April 2, 2025.

March 12, 2025

Effective Date for U.S. Steel and Aluminum Tariffs

Effective date for the imposition of 25% U.S. tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports.

March 13, 2025

Effective Date for Further Canadian Retaliatory Tariffs in Response to U.S. Steel and Aluminum Tariffs

Effective date for the imposition of 25% Canadian tariffs on additional select U.S. products imported into Canada in response to the imposition of 25% U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum pursuant to order-in-council United States Surtax Order (Steel and Aluminum 2025). Goods include aluminum, steel and consumer products including tools, computers and servers, display monitors, sports equipment and cast-iron products. These tariffs are in addition to those imposed on March 4. 

March 24, 2025

Potential 25% U.S. Tariffs on Goods From Any Country That Imports Directly or Indirectly Venezuelan Oil 

U.S. executive order Imposing Tariffs on Countries Importing Venezuelan Oil may impose 25% U.S. tariffs on all goods imported into the U.S. from any country that imports directly or indirectly Venezuelan oil. These tariffs will be in addition to any other tariffs. Once imposed, the tariffs shall expire 1 year after the last date on which the country imported Venezuelan oil or an earlier date at the discretion of the Secretary of Commerce. 

March 26, 2025

Announcement of 25% U.S. Tariffs on Auto Imports

U.S. presidential proclamation “Adjusting Imports of Automobiles and Automobile Parts into the United States” imposes a 25% U.S. tariff on automobile imports effective April 3, 2025, and for automobile parts effective on a date no later than May 3, 2025. 

April 2, 2025

Expected Date for U.S. Reciprocal Tariffs 

Expected effective date of reciprocal tariffs as announced by President Trump on social media. 

Expected Deadline to Comment on Canadian Phase 2 Tariffs

The Government of Canada will accept comments on the application of tariffs to the list of potential Phase 2 U.S. goods listed in Notice of Intent until April 2, 2025. 

July 1, 2026

CUSMA Review

Expected date of the Free Trade Commission’s review of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) pursuant to Article 34.7(2) of CUSMA.

For more information on Canada–U.S. tariffs, please contact any member of our International Trade group.

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