Donald Trump Tariffs Canada: US President Donnad Trump wrote a letter to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney which he posted on social media on Thursday night, threatened to impose 35% tariffs on Canadian imports starting August 1, unless Canada takes action to curb the flow of fentanyl into the United States.
President Trump’s letter to the Prime Minister of Canada pic.twitter.com/Zk5yd3akS7
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) July 11, 2025
Donald Trump Tariffs Canada: Fentanyl, Trade at the Center of Dispute
Trump stated that if Canada works to stop the flow of fentanyl into the U.S., he may consider adjusting the proposed tariffs.
“I must mention the flow of Fentanyl is hardly the only challenge we have with Canada, which has many Tariff, and Non-Tariff, Policies and Trade Barriers, which cause unsustainable Trade Deficits against the United States,” the letter read.
The president criticized Canada’s supply management in the dairy sector, repeating his disputed claim that Canada imposes 400 tariffs on American dairy farmers. He argued that the ongoing trade deficit with Canada poses a threat to both the U.S. economy and national security.
Donald Trump Tariffs Canada Timeline
The two countries had earlier committed to negotiating a new economic and security agreement, setting a July 21 deadline to reach a deal.
In March, Trump imposed tariffs on Canadian imports, including 25% duties and a lower 10% levy on energy and potash. However, he later rolled back some of these tariffs on goods compliant with the Canada-US-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). It remains unclear whether Trump’s latest tariff threats would exempt products covered under this trilateral trade pact.
The latest proposed measures include additional tariffs on steel, aluminum, and automobiles, along with plans to introduce new duties on copper, all set to take effect on August 1.
Donald Trump Warns Canada of Further Tariffs If It Retaliates
The letter also noted that Canada had responded to the earlier US tariffs with retaliatory duties targeting a range of American products such as orange juice, motorcycles, clothing, shoes, coffee, cosmetics, and alcohol.
Trump warned that any increase in Canadian tariffs would result in a proportional increase in the proposed US tariffs.
“If for any reason you decide to raise your Tariffs, then, whatever the number you choose to raise them by, will be added onto the 35 (per cent) that we charge,” Trump wrote.
Zubair Amin is a Senior Journalist at NewsX with over seven years of experience in reporting and editorial work. He has written for leading national and international publications, including Foreign Policy Magazine, Al Jazeera, The Economic Times, The Indian Express, The Wire, Article 14, Mongabay, News9, among others. His primary focus is on international affairs, with a strong interest in US politics and policy. He also writes on West Asia, Indian polity, and constitutional issues. Zubair tweets at zubaiyr.amin
