The restriction comes as the Canadian ambassador to the United States visited Seattle to celebrate trade relations between Washington state and Canada.
A U.S. ban on nearly $1 billion worth of Canadian products went into effect at midnight, marking the latest escalation in a trade war between the United States and Canada.
The ban applies to a range of products, including alcohol, certain dairy products and motorcycles.
Experts say consumers may not notice an immediate impact because of existing inventory and some exemptions. The president said he expects Canada to return to the negotiating table soon.
The restriction comes as the Canadian ambassador to the United States visited Seattle to celebrate trade relations between Washington state and Canada.
Seattle resident Mike Sandberg said he has long viewed the relationship between the neighboring countries as close. “I’ve always thought of it as brothers or cousins,” Sandberg said. “We should just be getting along,” he added, later saying, “They seem like they don’t like us very much right now.”
Strained relations have grown more tense as the Trump administration moves to block nearly $1 billion worth of Canadian imports, including certain dairy products, alcoholic drinks and motorcycles. The ban is described as the latest counterpunch by the U.S., striking back after Canada imposed retaliatory tariffs on roughly $20 billion worth of American goods following the White House’s imposition of 50% tariffs last month.
Canadian Ambassador to the U.S. Mark Wiseman said the tariffs are already being felt in Canada.
The tariffs are having a big impact,” Wiseman said. “The 232 tariffs and now, more recently, the 338 [tariffs] are having a big impact on certain sectors of the Canadian economy, whether that’s those involved in steel and aluminum or auto manufacturing or forest products. We believe that those tariffs should not be in place.
As consumers in both countries deal with the effects, Sandberg said, “They shouldn’t be tariffing us, and we shouldn’t be tariffing them.”
Wiseman said efforts are underway to strengthen ties with Washington state, citing Canadian investment and jobs.
“We’re doing a lot of business in Washington State,” he said. “Canadian companies employ over 30,000 workers here in Washington.”
Sandberg said he does not believe the countries should be at odds. “It seems like we shouldn’t be in an adversarial relationship with Canada. I mean, they’re our buddies,” he said. He also said, “It hurts our business when they don’t come.”
Wiseman said he hopes the dispute eases. “Hopefully, we’ll get to a place where all restrictions on both sides of the border come down,” he said.
Canada is not expected to retaliate further, according to the Canadian prime minister.
