“I think it is wrong to have a trade war with Canada. It is not in the interest of our country to have a trade war with Canada.
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Trump Imposes 50% Section 338 Tariffs on Canadian Goods, Splitting Republicans
July 21, 2026
On Monday, July 20-21, 2026, President Trump signed three proclamations imposing additional 50% tariffs on roughly $20 billion in Canadian imports — including motor vehicles, alcoholic beverages and dairy, plus goods ranging from wine to hockey sticks — citing Canada's "discriminatory treatment" of American products. The tariffs take effect August 19, 2026. Trump invoked Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930, a Smoot-Hawley-era provision that had never been used by any president, allowing duties up to 50% against countries found to discriminate against US commerce. Democrats attacked the move as an inflationary abuse of trade authority, with Senate Finance ranking member Ron Wyden announcing legislation to curb the president's tariff powers. Republican reaction was notably cool: several GOP senators characterized the tariffs as a negotiating tactic while warning about consumer prices ahead of the midterms.
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“We won't be able to reverse his direction immediately, but at least with a new majority in Congress, should we be successful in the November elections, Canadians will begin to recognize their neighbours again.
“I don't believe in escalating the conflict, that's not constructive. But our tariffs are necessary to protect our workers, protect our companies, and our communities.
“We have everything we need to pivot and prosper. That pivot will come at a cost. There's always a cost to action. But it doesn't come close to the cost of standing still.
“NO MORE SELLING BOMBARDIER IN THE UNITED STATES! Their products aren't good enough! … If they want our Market, they must build here, and stop treating America like a "piggybank." BUY AMERICAN. FLY ON AMERICAN AIRLINERS. ENJOY AMERICAN LIQUOR AND BEVERAGES. SAIL ON LAKE AMERICA. AMERICA FIRST!
“The presence of Bombardier in Wichita supports a local workforce of more than a thousand employees, who contribute their talent and expertise to our nation's defense and aerospace capabilities. This afternoon, I reached out to the Trump administration to make certain the President is aware of the significant contributions of Bombardier to Kansas and the importance of its presence in Wichita to many Kansas workers at Bombardier and in the Bombardier supply chain. I will continue working to see that Bombardier's manufacturing operations not only remain in Kansas but continue to grow and create American jobs.
“Canada's (currency) Dollar imbalance with the U.S. is unacceptable. It has been that way for years - but no longer!
“The average Michigan family is paying $5,600 more. That's a tax on our groceries. That's a tax on our small businesses, on gas.
“The president for our farmers also is enacted 20 new trade deals. Twenty.
“The farmers are excited about and actually applaud the president for is actually standing up to Canada and try and level the playing field with the tariffs.
“We don’t want a trading war with Canada. We want a trading partner with Canada.
“Canada has had a 250 percent tariff on our farmers for things like milk and cream and poultry.
“The Administration must consider the negative impact tariffs would have on Maine businesses, communities, and families and work to reach a fair agreement with our Canadian neighbors.
“While inflation rages, families struggle to pay their bills, and small businesses close, Trump — detached from reality — continues his bluster on the global stage, doubling down on a chaotic trade war that has meant only pain for American families, farmers, and manufacturers.
“That’s why I am introducing legislation that would end Trump’s costly tariff taxes.
“It cannot be borne on the backs of Michiganders.
“We need the negotiators to go back to the table, stop acting like children, and negotiate a fair, mutually beneficial, reciprocal deal.
“I recognize how important and crucial our partnership with our friends and family in Canada is.
“Tariffs are not the objective. The objective is to protect Michigan jobs.
“Donald Trump's reckless attacks on one of our strongest allies and largest trading partners are needlessly hurting businesses, raising prices, and decreasing tourism.
“Our tourism, manufacturing, and agriculture sectors all rely heavily on Canadian visitors and imports.
“President Trump and Republicans promised to lower costs and make life more affordable, but they've used their total power in Washington to make life more expensive than ever.
“If the president’s misguided trade war further escalates, the processed lobsters could be taxed again when they are shipped back from Canada to the United States.
“No good will come of this trade war with Canada. The only thing these tariffs will create is economic pain on both sides of the border, especially for Vermont and the other 33 states that rely on Canada as their largest trading partner.
“Every American deserves a fair shot to get ahead, and Trump's capricious and costly tariffs are making it exceedingly difficult to simply make ends meet.
“The Trump tariffs are basically taxes—they raise costs for families, farmers and employers on both sides of the border and strain a relationship that has made both countries stronger and more secure.
“It is a blunt tool. You can’t just pull out the tariff hammer to swing at every problem without a clear defined end-goal.
“My feelings on punitive tariffs imposed on Canada have not changed over the last two years and are simply a bad idea that will lead to increased costs on Vermonters.
“We've got 71 days, and right now we don't have a positive message to tell farm country.
“The president picked an unnecessary fight with a friend. The trade war will hurt both Americans and Canadians and for no good reason.
“I have never even thought of doing such a stupid thing. This lie was made up by a weak and ineffective Prime Minister in an attempt to gain political support, which he has totally lost, from the people of Quebec. I love French Canadians!
“The United States is giving serious consideration to changing the name of Lake Ontario to Lake America in that we don't expect to be doing much business with Ontario any longer.
“The United States is giving serious consideration to changing the name of Lake Ontario to Lake America in that we don’t expect to be doing much business with Ontario any longer.
“It makes no sense to start a trade war with our closest neighbor. Canada is an important and valued trading partner for New Hampshire.
“Let’s just call it Lake Natalie so we know you’ll start protecting our Great Lakes.
“This was not our choice. We were ready and close to having a comprehensive agreement that would be fair to both countries. But they made changes, including threats on the French language and Quebec culture and Canadian culture. That is not acceptable. That would never be acceptable.
“We need to send a message loud and clear to the prime minister of Canada: stop taking advantage of the people of Maine.
“Stop taking advantage of the people of America. It's over. We expect fairness in our trade policy.
“They apply ridiculous tariffs and other non-tariff duties on Maine products coming into Canada, and they don't expect Maine or anybody else to fight back.
“Build in the U.S. and there are zero tariffs. Canada will be treated like a State no longer!
“They feel entitled, and yet, we don't need Canada, they need us!
“You create that tension, and the party that owns that tension is the party that probably suffers.
“Commodity prices have been sort of flat. All the input prices are going up, export markets are shutting down. You really worry about the ability of families to stay in.
“We have always been able to work through our differences and find solutions that benefit both countries. But instead this Administration has chosen to escalate a trade war with one of our closest allies. The new 50 percent tariffs on Canadian goods, followed by Canada's decision to retaliate, will only make it harder for Minnesota businesses and farmers to compete and will further drive up prices.
“Trump's trade war with Canada is doing lasting damage to one of our oldest and most important strategic alliances. It may take years to fix what Trump is breaking if it can be fixed at all. The stupidity of Trump's tariffs and trade policies truly boggles the mind.
“The collapse of recent tariff negotiations will cause immediate harm to Virginia workers, farmers, foresters, and businesses and threaten the stability of our long-standing and vital commercial partnership. When Canada responds with further retaliatory tariffs in September, the competitiveness of Virginia's exports will suffer significantly. As Governor, I must express my complete opposition to these damaging actions that will cause harm to Virginia's businesses in a matter of days.
“We are stronger now than when the United States started this trade war. More unified, more determined, and more ambitious.
“I still think imposing new tariffs on Canada is a mistake.
“The on-again/off-again trade talks between the U.S. and Canada lead to higher costs, risk, and uncertainty for Maine businesses. If the Administration proceeds with these tariffs, they will increase costs for Maine families, as most businesses will have no choice but to pass on the tariffs to their customers through higher prices. Maine imports approximately $2 billion in non-petroleum products from Canada each year. Ever since the tariffs were first announced, I have heard from many businesses, farmers, and lobstermen concerned about the cost of navigating the tariffs, the lack of domestic supply chains, and the likely imposition of retaliatory tariffs by Canada. I urge both sides to return to the negotiating table. The Administration must consider the negative impact tariffs would have on Maine businesses, communities, and families and work to reach a fair agreement with our Canadian neighbors.
“New Trump tariffs just went into effect. Now it’s 50% tariffs on Canadian goods. Canada is Minnesota’s #1 trading partner. Minnesotans are paying for Trump’s chaos.
“Let’s be clear about who pays a 50% tariff on Canada: American businesses. American families. A tariff is a tax WE pay.
“Trump’s chaotic trade wars are bleeding the American people dry, and now he’s coming back for more. This nonsense with Canada should have never gone into effect. It must end now.
“There are no new planned talks with the Canadians. We’re moving forward with measures that respond to Canadian retaliation. After a year of that retaliation, we’ve said enough, and so we’ve taken countermeasures. Our interest is in protecting American workers and protecting American supply chains.
“Needlessly picking fights with our allies and raising prices here at home. That’s Trump’s economic policy in a nutshell.
“Michiganders are uniquely impacted by DC Republicans’ ongoing, chaotic tariff wars with Canada. These tariffs act as a tax hike on Michigan families and businesses by raising prices at the grocery store and the gas pump.
“The President’s latest escalation of his foolish trade war with Canada will create more uncertainty for Maine businesses, push costs even higher for Maine families. … Maine has had enough of this unending trade whiplash.
“Our closest ally. Our critical trading partner. And Trump is hitting Canada with 50% tariffs. What the actual fuck are we doing?
“You are at war when you get attacked. We got attacked. In short they asked too much and offered too little. We will not compromise Canada’s sovereignty or undermine our key industries.
“Canada declined to finalize the trade deal under the terms agreed earlier this week. Despite the U.S. offer to Canada to receive the best treatment of any major exporter to our market, new demands and walk backs of other commitments by Canada have upended the careful balance reached in the past days.
“Last-minute changes in the U.S. proposed terms were unfair, uneconomic, and called into question the reliability of any deal. Canada will match those tariffs dollar for dollar to protect our workers and businesses. Canada has what the world wants. And we will not allow any nation to determine our future.
“The great Keystone XL Pipeline, long ago killed by Sleepy Joe Biden, may be awoken from the grave!
“I have paused the 50% Tariffs against Canada, that were scheduled to kick in tomorrow morning for a three day period, based on the fact that Canada and the U.S.A., subject to the finalization of documents, have a DEAL!
“The deal will include comprehensive market access for all American goods, economic security commitments, digital trade alignment, and many important provisions that will continue to protect our market and American workers, along with our Canadian partners.
“Substantial progress has been made, although there is important work still to be done.
“I want to make sure wherever we end up works for our producers.
“Donald Trump has abused every trade authority at his disposal, and he is now excavating a law from the Great Depression to once again impose vast, unilateral tariffs on products from one of our closest allies and trading partners. This is yet another shakedown that will raise the cost-of-living for Americans, their families, and small businesses across the country. Trump cannot be trusted with tariff authority, and I will be introducing a bill very soon to rein him in and put Congress back in the driver's seat.
“I think you're going to find the president put this on as leverage to get Canada to change their minds on a lot of things that they've done and not carrying out their obligations under the USMCA.
“These new taxes will raise prices on American families and likely lead to retaliation against the very industries Trump purportedly wants to protect.