21/07/2026 04:10 - Internacionales
On July 20, 2026, US President Donald Trump announced the imposition of 50% tariffs on most products coming from Canada. According to the White House, the measure is based on Section 338 of the Trade Act of 1930—a rarely used provision that allows the President to impose restrictions on goods from countries that discriminate against US commerce—alleging that Canada has unjustly discriminated against American automobiles, alcohol, and dairy products.
The new 50% tariffs will not affect all goods. Excluded items include energy products, potash (a crucial mineral used in agricultural fertilizers), fish, and critical minerals. The measure will primarily impact those goods that were previously exempt from import taxes thanks to the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), known in Spanish-speaking countries as T-MEC.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney accused the United States of violating the USMCA (known in Canada as CUSMA) but maintained a conciliatory tone toward the future. Carney stated that Canada has presented a series of detailed and comprehensive proposals to resolve this dispute and modernize the agreement. They are prepared to intensify these conversations in the coming weeks, as reported by Infobae.
The USMCA, signed in 2020, has recently expired, leading to a new round of negotiations that could extend until 2036. The Canadian Prime Minister defended the benefits of free trade and reiterated his government's willingness to negotiate with Washington to resolve differences for mutual benefit. Carney emphasized that his country will continue taking necessary measures to protect its workers and businesses, but always with the door open to dialogue.
The White House justified the decision by mentioning trade practices it considers harmful, such as restrictions on American dairy products and taxes on digital services. Additionally, the impact of Canadian wildfire smoke on US air quality was mentioned. Sources like Cadena 3 indicated that while the measure could bring new economic challenges, it also opens the door to a modern and renewed trade relationship between both nations.
Alfredo S. Quiroga
