Trade talks between the U.S. and Canada resumed late Sunday, days after President Trump temporarily suspended them.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said trade discussions restarted after Canada shelved its plans for a Digital Services Tax, a 3% levy on American tech companies. President Trump had previously suspended negotiations over the tax. The two sides had previously set a July 21 deadline to reach a trade agreement.
Here is a chronology of the U.S.-Canada trade dispute and where things stand:
Nov. 25, 2024 – Less than three weeks after his election victory, President Trump announces on Truth Social his plans for 25% tariffs on all imports from Canada and Mexico, citing the two countries’ failure to secure the U.S. border.
Jan. 20 – President Trump signs a memo calling on cabinet members to “assess the flow of illegal immigration and fentanyl” from Canada, Mexico, and China. Officials would then “recommend suitable national security and trade remedies to address that emergency.”
Feb. 1 – President Trump orders 25% tariffs on goods from Mexico and Canada, as well as 10% tariffs on imports from China. The White House says the tariffs will go into effect on Feb. 4.
Feb. 3 – President Trump announces a one-month pause of the tariffs on Canada and Mexico after reaching agreements with each country that include commitments to enhanced border enforcement.
Feb. 27 – President Trump reaffirms plans to enact 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico when the one-month pause expires on March 4.
March 3 – Speaking at the White House, President Trump reiterates plans to move forward with a host of new tariffs the following day. Stock markets tumbled within minutes. The S&P 500 closed down 1.7%, its worst trading day since December.
March 4 – Tariffs on goods from Canada, Mexico, and China go into effect at 12:01 a.m. ET. A near-instant trade war erupts. China and Canada each respond with retaliatory tariffs, while pledging additional measures. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum criticizes President Trump’s tariffs but says she will delay retaliatory measures until after a conversation with him.
March 5 – President Trump orders a one-month delay on tariffs for automobiles at the request of the “Big 3” American automakers: Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis, the parent company of Jeep and Chrysler.
March 6 – President Trump signs executive orders suspending tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico compliant with the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), a free trade agreement.
March 9 – Canada elects a new Prime Minister, Mark Carney. In his acceptance speech, Carney addressed President Trump’s tariffs on Canada and the threat President Trump posed, calling it “the biggest crisis of our lifetime.”
March 11 – Ontario Premier Doug Ford threatens an additional 25% surcharge on electricity from the province sent to American customers in response to the earlier U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods. In response, President Trump threatens to double tariffs on steel and aluminum specifically for Canada.
March 12 – The U.S. imposes a 25% tariff on all steel and aluminum imports. President Trump opted not to double tariffs for Canada after a deal was reached and Ford withdrew his threat of an electricity surcharge. Canada announces retaliatory tariffs on approximately $20.7 billion worth of U.S. goods.
April 2 – President Trump unveils “Liberation Day” tariffs, but Canada is excluded from a set of reciprocal tariffs as well as a 10% universal tariff on almost all imports.
April 3 – A 25% tariff on vehicles imported into the U.S. goes into effect. Mexico and Canada are the top two U.S. trading partners for finished motor vehicles, accounting for nearly half of total U.S. imports, according to a Cato Institute analysis of U.S. International Trade Commission data.
April 9 – Canada imposes a 25% retaliatory tariff on non-USMCA-compliant vehicles from the U.S.
April 15 – In an effort to ease business disruptions related to tariffs, Canada issues a six-month moratorium on tariffs for U.S. goods used in Canadian food and beverage production, processing, and packaging, as well as those used for national security and public health initiatives.
April 28 – The Liberal Party wins the most seats in the Canadian parliament, solidifying the party’s power and Carney’s role as prime minister. In an early-morning social media post, President Trump suggested Canadians should vote him in so that Canada could become the 51st state.
May 6 – Carney visits President Trump in the Oval Office, telling him Canada is “not for sale” after President Trump reiterated his claim that Canada should become the 51st state.
May 28 – Two separate federal courts invalidate some of President Trump’s highest tariffs, including the 25% tariff on Canadian goods. The rulings center on President Trump’s unprecedented invocation of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act as a legal justification for the tariffs.
May 29 – A federal appeals court issues a temporary stay reinstating the tariffs that were prohibited a day earlier.
June 2 – President Trump raises tariffs on all foreign steel and aluminum from 25% to 50%.
June 16 – At the G7 summit in Alberta, Canada, Carney and President Trump say the U.S. and Canada will reach a trade agreement within 30 days.
June 27 – President Trump says he will suspend U.S.-Canada trade negotiations due to Canada’s plans to move forward with a tax on American tech companies.
June 29 – Carney says trade talks between the U.S. and Canada have resumed after Canada withdraws its plans to tax tech companies.
According to ABC News.
