New actions affecting Canadian motor vehicle products, dairy products, and alcoholic beverages are set to take effect this month.
On September 8, 2026, the White House issued a series of proclamations expanding U.S. trade measures against Canada in response to what the Administration describes as continued Canadian discrimination against U.S. commerce involving motor vehicles, dairy products, and alcoholic beverages.
The actions include:
- Modifications to the scope of Canadian goods subject to existing 50% additional duties related to Canada's motor vehicle policies.
- New import bans on certain Canadian motor vehicle-related products.
- New import bans on certain Canadian dairy products.
- New import bans on certain Canadian alcoholic beverages.
Key Dates
September 15, 2026
The Administration will modify the scope of Canadian products subject to existing 50% Section 338 duties. Certain products will be added to the tariff lists, while others will be removed. The affected products extend well beyond the automotive and alcoholic beverage sectors and include a variety of food, manufacturing, industrial, furniture, and marine products. [whitehouse.gov]
September 29, 2026
Import bans on specified Canadian motor vehicle products, dairy products, and alcoholic beverages will become effective for goods imported on or after 12:01 a.m. EDT. [whitehouse.gov], [whitehouse.gov], [whitehouse.gov]
Products imported before September 29, but not yet entered for consumption or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, will remain subject to the previously imposed 50% additional duties rather than the new import bans. [whitehouse.gov], [whitehouse.gov], [whitehouse.gov]
Products Newly Subject to 50% Duties Beginning September 15
The scope modification proclamations add numerous products to the existing 50% Section 338 duties, including:
- Various cheeses, including cheddar, Swiss, Emmentaler, and Roquefort
- Aluminum profiles, bars, tubes, and pipes
- Iron and steel structures
- Paper products used for writing, drawing, and graphic applications
- Furniture products, including seats, chairs, and mattresses
- Lamps and lighting fixtures
- Certain golf carts and small motor vehicles
- Motorboats and outboard motorboats
- Select hardware items such as hooks, rivets, buckles, and welding electrodes
- Animal fats, hides and skins, and furskins
- Certain whiskey, liqueur, and cordial classifications packaged in containers of four liters or less [whitehouse.gov]
Some products previously subject to the tariffs have been removed from coverage, including:
- Salt
- Portland cement
- Certain sugars
- Certain household paper products
- Refined lead products
- Certain fishing rod parts
- Certain whiskies, liqueurs, and cordials packaged in containers exceeding four liters [whitehouse.gov]
Products Subject to Import Bans Beginning September 29
Canadian Alcoholic Beverages
The proclamation covering alcoholic beverages prohibits importation of certain Canadian-origin products, including:
- Beer
- Wine
- Vermouth
- Cider
- Sake
- Whiskey
- Bourbon
- Rye whiskey
- Rum
- Gin
- Vodka
- Tequila
- Mezcal
- Liqueurs and cordials
- Other distilled spirits and alcoholic beverages [whitehouse.gov]
Canadian Dairy Products
The dairy proclamation prohibits imports of selected dairy-related products, including:
- Whey protein concentrates
- Modified whey
- Fluid whey
- Dried whey
- Certain molasses products
- Certain non-alcoholic beer products identified in the annexes [whitehouse.gov]
Canadian Motor Vehicle Products
The motor vehicle proclamation currently targets:
- Motorcycles with engines exceeding 800cc (HTSUS 8711.50.00) [whitehouse.gov]
Important Considerations
The Section 338 duties apply regardless of USMCA eligibility and are imposed in addition to any applicable Section 232 duties. Because the proclamations identify covered merchandise through specific HTSUS classifications, importers should carefully review product classifications and the applicable annexes to determine whether their products are affected.
Contact your Deringer representative to discuss how these actions may affect your imports and supply chain operations.
Due to the rapidly changing application and modifications of duty rates, please note that Deringer is not responsible for coordinating the timing of U.S. entry and imposed tariff rates.
