The United States is to ban imports of a range of Canadian alcoholic drinks, motorcycles and dairy-related products from 29 September, escalating a trade war between the two North American neighbours.
The restrictions were announced by President Donald Trump after Canada imposed retaliatory tariffs on about $20 billion (£15.1 billion) of US goods, including steel, dairy and agricultural equipment.
The White House said the new measures were authorised under Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930, which allows the president to impose duties or exclude imports where foreign trade practices are judged to discriminate against US commerce. ([whitehouse.gov](https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2026/09/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-responds-to-canadas-retaliation/))
Which Canadian products are affected?
The alcohol measures cover a broad range of packaged drinks, including beer, wine, cider, vermouth, vodka, gin, rum, brandy, tequila, mezcal and other spirits.
The dairy-related ban is more narrowly defined. It includes whey and whey products, invert molasses, several forms of cane and other molasses, and non-alcoholic beer. ([whitehouse.gov](https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/ANNEX-I-DAIRY.pdf))
The motorcycle restrictions apply to Canadian motorcycles and mopeds fitted with internal-combustion engines larger than 800cc. Some cheese products, meanwhile, are being moved to a list facing tariffs of up to 50 per cent rather than an outright ban. ([whitehouse.gov](https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/ANNEX-I-MOTOR-VEHICLES.pdf))
The White House said the import bans will apply to goods entering the United States from 12.01am Eastern time on 29 September. Goods imported before that date but not yet cleared for consumption will remain subject to a 50 per cent duty.
From 15 September, other changes to the list of Canadian goods subject to tariffs will also take effect. Paper, aluminium, timber, furniture, lighting products and other items are among the goods affected, while some products including rock salt and cement are being removed from the tariff list. ([whitehouse.gov](https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/09/excluding-certain-canadian-products-from-importation-into-the-united-states-in-response-to-continued-discrimination-against-the-commerce-of-the-united-states-with-respect-to-dairy/))
US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said the measures followed the collapse of negotiations between Washington and Ottawa. He accused Canada of pursuing “senseless retaliation” and said the action was intended to protect American workers and exporters.
President Trump has also directed the US Trade Representative and the General Services Administration to remove Canadian-origin products worth about $50 billion from federal procurement schedules, according to the trade representative’s office. ([ustr.gov](https://www.ustr.gov/about/policy-offices/press-office/press-releases/2026/september/ambassador-greer-issues-statement-president-trumps-response-canadas-continued-retaliation-against))
Canada’s counter-tariffs, announced after trade talks broke down, cover products ranging from steel and furniture to clothing and electronics. The measures are expected to affect businesses and consumers on both sides of the border as the dispute continues to widen.
