What happened
A US ban on several Canadian imports, including alcohol, dairy, and motorcycles, has taken effect. The ban applies to nearly $710m worth of Canadian liquor exported to the US, as well as whey products used in protein powder. This move is the latest escalation in the Canada-US trade war, which began after negotiations collapsed in late August.
The US trade representative stated that President Donald Trump is comfortable with his current relationship with Canada and sees no urgency in resuming trade talks. The import bans were announced by Trump in a series of executive orders, citing continued discrimination by Canada on US dairy, automotives, and alcohol.
Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney described the bans as relatively modest measures, but acknowledged that they will hurt certain businesses and sectors. Economists and businesses in Canada have warned that the bans will add uncertainty to the future of the country's trade relationship with the US, its largest trade partner.
