by Tariffs as high as 50% are in response to the U.S. government’s imposition of tariffs on Canadian-made products effective Aug. 22
WASHINGTON — Reciprocal tariffs ranging from 25%-50% starting Sept. 9 would impact some $27.6 billion in products shipped from the U.S. to Canada according to a list made public by the Canadian government on Tuesday.
This is in response to the U.S. government’s decision to impose a 50% tariff on Canadian-made goods including furniture that went into effect Aug. 22. The U.S. imposed the Section 338 tariffs after a period of unsuccessful negotiations between the two countries.
The U.S. has said it is imposing the tariffs in response to what it says are unfair trade practices. Specifically, it alleges that the Canadian government imposes tariffs on U.S. motor vehicles, dairy products and alcoholic beverages that it does not place on other countries.
The Canadian-made goods impacted by these tariffs include beds, chests and dressers, dining tables, sideboards and occasional tables as well as selected seats and parts as well as some baby and youth furniture such as cribs and toddler beds. But it also includes components such as veneers and plywood (including some 50 different types of plywood veneers and mdf some of which is used in furniture) along with various fabrics and leathers.
Goods subject to the 50% tariffs Canada is imposing on the U.S. include steel and aluminum products that previously only had a 25% tariff, the Canadian government noted, along with furniture and clothing/apparel. Goods subject to 25% tariffs including appliances, dairy products, and certain steel and aluminum derivatives.
The furniture that is subject to the tariffs include at least 15 different types of wood products including wood chairs, dining tables, bedroom furniture, living room furniture, plus some 13 different types of plywood and veneered panels, some of which are used in furniture production. Tariffs on furniture range from 25% to 50% while tariffs on plywood and veneered panels are at 50%.
The tariffs undoubtedly will have a major impact on trade between the two countries, including furniture.
In 2025, Canada was the fourth largest exporter to the U.S. market, with about $1.7 billion in shipments, according to investment banking firm Mann Armistead & Epperson. With an estimated $1.5 billion in shipments, Canada also was the top export market for U.S. made furniture last year, representing more than 60% of furniture shipments the Mann Armistead & Epperson report noted.
The Canadian government issued a statement on Tuesday stating that the primary objective of the counter tariffs are to protect Canadian workers, producers and manufacturers harmed by U.S. tariffs by putting them in a better standing against U.S. products in the Canadian market.
The Canadian government said that in addition to the counter tariffs, it is introducing a $7.5 billion investment aimed at helping businesses and employees impacted by the trade war. This is in addition to $25 billion in support the Canadian government said it has provided to impacted business already.
“The government will continue to assess programs and policies to support businesses, who continue to be impacted by tariffs, including the availability of existing measures to newly impacted sectors,” the government’s statement read.
