U.S. revises Canada tariff list – some goods out, more products in
Washington removes seaweed and packing boxes from the list of 50% tariffs but adds cocoa powder and shampoo. Trump: "We have all the cards."
Symbolic image · Photo: Ken Lund / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0 (cropped and resized)
The White House has again broadly revised its tariffs on Canadian goods. Seaweed, packing boxes and some plywood sheets are being removed from the list of products subject to 50% duties, Canadian broadcaster CTV reported. Cocoa powder, vinyl flooring and shampoos are being added. Trade lawyer Robert Glasgow of KPMG Law said more products are being added than removed. The changes are due to take effect at the end of the month. Republican Senator Susan Collins of Maine said she had secured exemptions for producers including blueberry, potato, apple and seaweed growers.
U.S. President Donald Trump said in Washington on Friday that Canada and the United States were close to a deal. "Canada's working very hard to make a deal with us. And I hate to say this, but we have all the cards," Trump said. He said the U.S. was "very close" to a "very good" deal with Mexico. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said in Istanbul that Canada could "sign it this afternoon if the U.S. were there." Trade talks have been stalled since August.
Experts see domestic political pressure behind the changes ahead of the U.S. midterms, about 10 days away: Glasgow pointed to "significant pressure" from Collins, who is running for re-election. Trade lawyer Barry Appleton told CTV that Washington had merely "moved some bricks around" rather than lowering the tariff wall, and that affordability had "taken its toll". Glasgow said a broader deal within weeks was unlikely and expected the changes to have little immediate impact. The U.S. imposed 25% tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum in March 2025 and raised them to 50% in June 2025. Canada has counter-tariffs on $27.6 billion of U.S. imports.