US imposes import ban on some Canadian products

US imposes import ban on some Canadian products

The US is banning a slew of Canadian products, including alcoholic spirits, dairy goods and motorbikes, as its neighbour’s retaliatory tariffs on American goods come into force.

In a series of executive orders on Tuesday, US President Donald Trump said that Canada is “discriminating” against the US and outlined the import ban, which will begin 29 September.

Earlier on Tuesday, Canada Prime Minister Mark Carney said in a video address that his country’s pivot away from the US as its largest trading partner “will come at a cost”.

Both US and Canadian officials have said they would like to strike a trade deal, but no new talks have been scheduled since negotiations collapsed in late August.

The BBC has contacted Carney’s office for comment.

The White House’s new sanctions are the latest strike in a months-long trade war between the US and Canada. The sides have historically been close allies, with each a key business partner to the other.

Generally more than two-thirds of Canada’s total exports go to its neighbour.

Canada is the second-largest trading partner of the US, after Mexico, although its exports are far more diversified.

Business owners on both sides of the border have expressed fears over the trade war’s fallout. Many expect prices of goods to rise and the number of customers to fall.