Detailed Timeline
January 20, 2025
Trump Administration’s America First Trade Policies
U.S. presidential memorandum “America First Trade Policy” outlines trade priorities of the new Trump administration and directs departments to complete various studies by April 1, 2025.
February 1, 2025
Announcement of U.S. Tariffs on Canadian Goods
U.S. executive order Imposing Duties to Address the Flow of Illicit Drugs Across Our Northern Border imposes a 25% tariff on products of Canada except for energy products, which will be subject to a 10% tariff, both effective February 4, 2025.
Announcement of Canadian Retaliatory Tariffs on U.S. Goods
Canada’s order-in-council United States Surtax Order (2025) imposes Phase 1 of a 25% retaliatory tariff on certain goods originating in the U.S. effective February 4, 2025 (C$30-billion). A detailed list of Phase 1 impacted goods is available here. Phase 2 of the retaliatory tariffs, applying to a wider range of goods (C$125-billion), was expected to be effective 21-days later.
February 3, 2025
Pause on U.S.–Canada Tariffs
U.S. executive order Progress on the Situation at Our Northern Border paused the February 4, 2025, implementation date for 30 days to March 4, 2025. Canada announced a similar pause on its planned response and issued the Order Repealing the United States Surtax Order (2025).
February 13, 2025
Announcement of U.S. Reciprocal Tariffs
U.S. memorandum “Reciprocal Trade and Tariffs,” article “President Trump Demands Fair, Reciprocal Trade” and “Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Announces ‘Fair and Reciprocal Plan’ on Trade” announce plans for reciprocal tariffs on all countries that impose tariffs and tax on imports of U.S. goods. Action, including determining the rates for the reciprocal tariffs, is expected after studies are submitted to the President on April 1, 2025.
March 4, 2025
Effective Date for U.S. Tariffs on Canadian Goods and 25% Canadian Retaliatory Tariffs on Phase 1 List of U.S. Goods
Effective date for the imposition of 25% and 10% U.S. tariffs on products of Canada (originally expected on February 4, 2025), and 25% Canadian retaliatory tariffs on Phase 1 list of goods through the United States Surtax Order (2025-1).
Canada Initiates Public Consultation Regarding Phase 2 of Retaliatory Tariffs
Phase 2 list of U.S. goods to be subject to Canadian retaliatory tariffs 21 days later will be drawn from the list of goods available in the notice after a public consultation period.
March 7, 2025
Exemption on U.S. Tariffs for CUSMA-Compliant Goods
U.S. executive order Amendment to Duties to Address the Flow of Illicit Drugs Across Our Northern Border provides an exemption to the U.S. tariffs for any Canadian good that is compliant with CUSMA (i.e., originating in Canada). The tariff rate on non-originating potash has also been reduced from 25% to 10%. These measures are effective March 7, 2025, and not retroactive. While it was reported that this was a pause until April 2, 2025 (the announcement date for the reciprocal tariffs), there is no end date in the executive order.
Canada Pauses Phase 2 Retaliatory Tariff Implementation
Canada announces a delay of the tariffs on Phase 2 goods until at least April 2, 2025.
March 12, 2025
Effective Date for 25% U.S. Steel and Aluminum Tariffs
U.S. presidential proclamations “Adjusting Imports of Steel Into the United States” and “Adjusting Imports of Aluminum Into the United States” dated February 10, 2025, impose a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum imported from all countries effective March 12, 2025. These tariffs are expected to be cumulative with other tariff measures, meaning up to 50% tariffs on Canadian steel and 35% tariffs on Canadian aluminum.
March 13, 2025
Effective Date for Further Canadian Retaliatory Tariffs in Response to U.S. Steel and Aluminum Tariffs
Effective date for the imposition of 25% Canadian retaliatory tariffs on additional select U.S. products imported into Canada pursuant to order-in-council United States Surtax Order (Steel and Aluminum 2025) in response to the imposition of 25% U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum. Goods include steel (C$12.6-billion), aluminum (C$3-billion) and miscellaneous products (e.g., consumer goods and precious metals) (C$14.2-billion) (total C$29.8-billion). There is no overlap between these tariffs and the Phase 1 list.
March 24, 2025
Potential 25% U.S. Tariffs on Goods From Any Country That Imports Directly or Indirectly Venezuelan Oil
U.S. executive order Imposing Tariffs on Countries Importing Venezuelan Oil may impose 25% U.S. tariffs on all goods imported into the U.S. from any country that imports directly or indirectly Venezuelan oil. These tariffs will be in addition to any other tariffs. Once imposed, the tariffs shall expire 1 year after the last date on which the country imported Venezuelan oil or an earlier date at the discretion of the Secretary of Commerce.
April 2, 2025
U.S. Announces "Reciprocal" Tariffs; CUSMA-Compliant Goods Into U.S. Remain Exempt
U.S. executive order Regulating Imports with a Reciprocal Tariff to Rectify Trade Practices that Contribute to Large and Persistent Annual United States Goods Trade Deficits imposes a 10% baseline tariff on all imports to the U.S., with higher country-specific tariffs on approximately 60 countries (from 11% to 50%), subject to certain exclusions. The additional reciprocal tariffs do not apply to goods from Canada or Mexico.
Closing Date to Comment on Canadian Phase 2 Tariffs
The Government of Canada accepted comments on the application of tariffs to the list of potential Phase 2 U.S. goods listed in Notice of Intent until April 2, 2025.
April 3, 2025
Effective Date of 25% U.S. Tariffs on Auto Imports
U.S. presidential proclamation “Adjusting Imports of Automobiles and Automobile Parts into the United States” dated March 26, 2025, imposes a 25% U.S. tariff on autos effective April 3, 2025, and on auto parts effective on a date no later than May 3, 2025. Where the goods qualify for preferential treatment under CUSMA, the tariff will only apply to the non-U.S. content.
April 5, 2025
Effective Date of 10% U.S. "Reciprocal" Tariffs
Effective date for the imposition by the U.S. of baseline 10% “reciprocal” tariffs announced on April 2, 2025.
April 9, 2025
Pause on Higher Country-Specific U.S. "Reciprocal" Tariffs
U.S. announces a 90-day pause on higher country-specific “reciprocal” tariffs previously announced on April 2, 2025, except for those against China (approximately 60 countries affected), until July 9, 2025.
Effective Date for Canadian Retaliatory Auto Tariffs in Response to U.S. Auto Tariffs
Canada’s order-in-council United States Surtax Order (Motor Vehicles 2025) imposes 25% Canadian retaliatory tariffs on U.S. motor vehicles imported into Canada in response to the U.S. auto tariffs. The tariffs only apply to non-CUSMA compliant U.S.-made vehicles and to the U.S. content of CUSMA-compliant U.S.-made vehicles.
April 15, 2025
Canada Releases Tariff Support Measures, Including 6-Month Tariff Relief for Select Goods
Canada’s order-in-council United States Surtax Remission Order (2025) provides a temporary 6-month remission of Canadian tariffs applicable on U.S. imports of goods used in Canadian manufacturing, processing, and food and beverage packaging, and used for public health, healthcare, public safety, and national security objectives. Remission is available in respect of the tariffs on Phase 1 goods, the steel and aluminum retaliatory tariffs and the auto retaliatory tariffs. Order-in-council United States Surtax Remission Order (Motor Vehicles 2025) provides a performance-based remission framework for automakers. Finally, the new Large Enterprise Tariff Loan Facility is now accepting applications.
July 1, 2026
CUSMA Review
Expected date of the Free Trade Commission’s review of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) pursuant to Article 34.7(2) of CUSMA.
For more information on Canada–U.S. tariffs, please contact any member of our International Trade group.
