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Canada's response to U.S. tariffs

Key impacts and business considerations

Updated: March 07, 2025

This publication was posted based on the information available at the time. Due to the uncertainty of the trade landscape, some rules may have changed since then, but the insights provided remain highly relevant for adapting to ongoing shifts in the market.

On March 4, 2025, the Canadian government implemented retaliatory tariffs in response to the U.S. administration's imposition of 25% tariffs on Canadian imports. These measures aim to protect Canadian economic interests and signal a firm stance against the U.S.'s recent trade actions.

Overview of Canada's retaliatory tariffs

Effective immediately, Canada has imposed 25% tariffs on approximately C$30 billion (US$20.8 billion) worth of U.S. goods. This initial phase targets a wide array of products including:

  • Orange juice
  • Peanut butter
  • Wine, beer, and spirits
  • Coffee
  • Appliances
  • Apparel and footwear
  • Motorcycles
  • Cosmetics
  • Certain pulp and paper products

An additional set of tariffs, covering C$125 billion (US$86.2 billion) in U.S. goods, is scheduled to take effect on March 25, 2025, if the U.S. tariffs remain in place.

Exemption for CUSMA-compliant automakers

In a recent development, the U.S. administration granted a one-month exemption from the newly imposed tariffs for automobiles imported from Canada and Mexico, provided they comply with the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA)/Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) rules of origin. This exemption offers temporary relief to automakers adhering to the trade agreement's stipulations.

BDO is here to help

BDO’s Tariff Taskforce can help you:

Level set

Understand your tariff and customs costs by using digital tools like TOVA to quickly analyse your customs data so you can visualize your tariff classification, country of origin, and valuation data—helping to ensure you are not overpaying tariffs and are effectively utilizing trade agreements.

Explore alternative suppliers

Consider sourcing goods from non-U.S. suppliers or increasing domestic production to mitigate tariff-related expenses.

Utilize remission orders

Request refunds, relief, or deferrals of tariffs and duties on imported goods under exceptional circumstances, typically to mitigate undue hardship, correct administrative errors, or support economic and trade policy objectives.

Negotiate tariff absorption

Undertake an analysis with a tariff advisor to determine your product complexity index to engage in useful tariff sharing negotiations with U.S. customers.

Stay informed

Regularly visit our taskforce page and get updates from official Canadian government sources and industry associations to remain abreast of any changes or additional measures.

Engage in advocacy

Connect with industry groups and associations through BDO’s domestic and global network to amplify your concerns and drive change in policies.

By proactively addressing these challenges, Canadian businesses can navigate the current trade environment more effectively and maintain resilience in their operations.

Staying ahead of evolving tariff changes is more critical than ever. Our multidisciplinary tax team is here to help guide your business through these challenges and help ensure your success. Visit our Tariff Readiness Hub for the latest insights, and contact one of our trusted advisors below to discuss how we can support your business.

Mike Abbott
Partner, Technology & Regulatory Advisory
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Brian Morcombe
Partner, Indirect Tax Leader
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Charmaine Goddeeris
Director, Indirect Tax
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Jesus Ballesteros
Partner, Advisory
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John Asher
Partner, Risk Advisory
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Simon Hutton
National Sustainability Leader
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The information in this publication is current as of March 6, 2025.

This publication has been carefully prepared, but it has been written in general terms and should be seen as broad guidance only. The publication cannot be relied upon to cover specific situations and you should not act, or refrain from acting, upon the information contained therein without obtaining specific professional advice. Please contact BDO Canada LLP to discuss these matters in the context of your particular circumstances. BDO Canada LLP, its partners, employees and agents do not accept or assume any liability or duty of care for any loss arising from any action taken or not taken by anyone in reliance on the information in this publication or for any decision based on it.