OTTAWA — Many consumer goods could be up to 25 per cent more expensive in Canada due to retaliatory tariffs against the U.S. — including the kitchen sink.
Matching 25 per cent tariffs on $29.8 billion worth of American goods took effect just after midnight in response to U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs on steel and aluminum imports.
Canada's extensive counter-tariff list focuses on American steel and aluminum products, including a wide variety of industrial materials, and is part of a broader counter-tariff package expected to expand to cover $155 billion in goods by the end of the month.
The counter-tariffs aren't just hitting ingots and rolled steel — many common household goods are on the tariff list.
They include a wide variety of kitchenware — everything from coffee cups and steel wool scouring pads to stoves and other large appliances. Ovens and oven parts are also on the list.
Smartphones are being hit, along with video game consoles and audio equipment, including headphones.
The Canadian levies are targeting tools and hardware — saws, shovels and hammers, all the way up to industrial equipment used for drilling — along with screws and other fasteners.
American-made sports equipment like golf clubs and balls, water-skis, beach balls and tennis rackets are now subject to tariffs.
Travelling fairs and amusement parks have been caught in the trade crossfire; Canada is imposing levies on theme park rides like roller-coasters, bumper cars, merry-go-rounds and waterslides.
Even camping trips could be more costly: sleeping bags are being tariffed as well.
These counter-tariffs take effect on the same day that Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc, Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne, Ambassador to the U.S. Kirsten Hillman and Ontario Premier Doug Ford are expected to meet with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Mar. 13, 2025
David Baxter, The Canadian Press
