U.S. tariffs on a wide range of Canadian goods officially took effect early Saturday, after trade negotiations failed between the two nations. Now, a new 50% tariff was implemented on a long list of Canadian imports, including beer and cheese at the stroke of midnight after officials from both countries failed to secure a compromise during intense, last-minute discussions. With Canada promising retaliation, this collapse in negotiations could escalate into a trade war.
According to The Washington Post, negotiators had been working for weeks to avoid these levies, initially announced by President Donald Trump last month. While there was a brief window of optimism earlier in the week when the implementation was paused, the deal ultimately fell apart, leaving both governments blaming each other for the breakdown.
