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US-Canada Tariffs Timeline: From Trade Wars to USMCA and 2026

The U.S. and Canada have fought recurring tariff disputes since the 1930s despite building one of the world's most integrated economies. In August 2026, Trump…

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50% TARIFF PAUSED

Trump pauses new 50% Canada tariffs for three days, cites a deal

On August 18, 2026, roughly 90 minutes before 50% Section 338 tariffs on Canadian autos, dairy and alcohol were due to take effect, Trump announced a three-day pause, ci…

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SECTION 338 TARIFFS IMPOSED

First-ever use of Section 338 imposes 50% tariffs on Canadian autos, dairy and…

On July 20, 2026, with IEEPA no longer available, Trump issued three proclamations under Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930 — the first-ever use of that authority — i…

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USMCA JOINT REVIEW

USMCA's mandatory six-year review; U.S. declines a clean extension

On July 1, 2026, the USMCA Free Trade Commission held its mandatory six-year joint review. Canada and Mexico confirmed support for a 16-year extension; the U.S. did not,…

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SUPREME COURT STRIKES DOWN…

Supreme Court rules IEEPA does not authorize tariffs

On February 20, 2026, the Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump that IEEPA does not authorize the president to impose tariffs, voiding the entire…

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IEEPA TARIFFS ON CANADA

Trump imposes IEEPA tariffs citing a border/fentanyl emergency

Following a February 2025 executive order, the U.S. imposed 25% IEEPA tariffs on most Canadian goods and 10% on energy and potash from March 2025, later exempting USMCA-…

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USMCA ENACTMENT

USMCA replaces NAFTA

USMCA entered into force July 1, 2020, after signing in November 2018. It tightened automotive rules of origin and labor-value-content requirements, updated digital trad…

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STEEL & ALUMINUM TRUCE

US and Canada lift 2018's Section 232 tariffs and retaliation

On May 17, 2019, the U.S. and Canada agreed to remove the 2018 Section 232 steel and aluminum tariffs and Canada's retaliatory countermeasures, adding an import-surge mo…

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STEEL AND ALUMINUM TARIFFS

Trump imposes Section 232 tariffs; Canada retaliates

Effective May 31, 2018, the Trump administration imposed 25% steel and 10% aluminum tariffs on Canada under Section 232 national-security authority. Canada retaliated wi…

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NAFTA LAUNCH

NAFTA extends free trade to Mexico

NAFTA entered into force January 1, 1994, extending CUFTA's bilateral framework into a trilateral zone, eliminating tariffs on most regional goods over a phase-in period…

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AUTO PACT

Canada-U.S. Automotive Products Agreement integrates auto manufacturing

The 1965 Auto Pact allowed duty-free cross-border movement of vehicles and parts under Canadian production commitments, building the first genuinely integrated North Ame…

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