WASHINGTON, D.C. — Canada is less than a week away from 50 per cent tariffs taking effect on nearly US$20 billion worth of exports to the United States, after the White House invoked the never-before-used Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930 to impose duties on more than 400 Canadian products beginning Aug. 19.
Trade watchers said the move was designed to create leverage and force Ottawa back to the negotiating table. Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc and Chief Negotiator Janice Charette have heeded the call, repeatedly showing up for meetings in Washington in recent weeks to try to head off the 338 tariffs and reach a deal on the Section 232 sectoral tariffs on steel, aluminum, and lumber.
