特朗普对加拿大酒类加征50%关税 报复加拿大不平等对待美国酒

President Donald Trump has slapped a 50% tariff on certain Canadian goods in retaliation for the nation’s “unequal treatment” of US alcohol.

A fact sheet on the White House website described the act as “levelling the playing field for crucial American exports – cars, alcohol, and dairy”. Citing Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930, the president said he intends to “offset the burden or disadvantage from a foreign country’s discrimination against or unequal imposition on the commerce of the United States”. The proclamation continued: “Specifically, Canada unreasonably burdens and disadvantages US alcoholic beverages but not alcoholic beverages of other countries.” All but two Canadian provinces responded to Trump’s initial tariffs by removing US-made alcohol from their government-controlled liquor stores. Subsequently, exports of American spirits to Canada plunged by 70% in a year, with a US trade representative launching an investigation into the ‘discriminatory’ boycott on 9 July. The White House’s proclamation stated that Canadian imports of US alcoholic beverages plummeted by 81% between March 2025 and February 2026. The new 50% tariff will be applied to most alcohol categories, including beer, wine, cider and spirits, from 19 August. The tariffs apply to these products even though they qualify for preferential tariff treatment under the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). The agreement is currently under negotiation as part of a six-year review. Trump’s global tariffs were ruled to be unlawful in February 2026, prompting a chaotic refund process. The ruling did not stop the president from immediately introducing a new 15% global tariff. The response Canada’s prime minister Mark Carney described the move on X as “the latest in a series of unilateral US trade actions that began with the US imposing a series of tariffs" that violate the USMCA. He continued: “In response to these measures and threats to Canadian sovereignty, provinces, territories, and Canadians from coast to coast to coast have stood together, taking the necessary actions to support our economy and defend our workers, farmers, businesses, and families.” He added that Canada has made a “series of detailed and comprehensive proposals” to resolve the dispute, with discussions to “intensify” in the coming weeks. He said: “Canada believes in the benefits of free and fair trade, as evidenced by our new government signing more than 20 new economic and security partnerships. “This trade dispute has raised costs for families, particularly in the US. Canada stands ready to engage intensively to address outstanding issues with the US to the mutual benefit of our citizens. “In all circumstances, Canada will work relentlessly and take any measures necessary to build our strength at home and to support Canadian workers, farmers, businesses, and families.” Chris Swonger, president and CEO of the Distilled Spirits Council of the US (Discus), welcomed the US government’s recognition of the “significant damage” Canadian restrictions have caused US distillers, but added he had hoped the issue could be “resolved without further escalation”. He continued: “Imposing a 50% tariff on imported spirits from Canada deepens trade tensions and raises the risk of further retaliation at a time when many US hospitality businesses continue to face financial hardships. “We encourage policymakers on both sides of the border to pursue a negotiated solution that restores market access for US spirits and avoids further harm to the US hospitality sector.”