White House says the US is lifting tariffs on some Canadian goods

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   White House says the US is lifting tariffs on some Canadian goods

   BBC NewsPublished Oct 23, 2026Checked Oct 23, 2026

   “The US is lifting some of its 50% tariffs on Canadian goods, with the White House saying on Friday it was working to "protect the economic prosperity and national security of the American people". The exemptions could also boost Republican candidates in the midterms elections on 3 November, as many US voters list affordability and economic pressures as top issues. Republican Senator Susan Collins, who is in a tight race in Maine to keep her seat in the election, first announced the exemptions, saying they would help her state's agriculture industry. After trade talks collapsed this summer, the US and Canada started an escalating tariff war that has affected both sides of the border. Senator Susan Collins said she had worked with the administration to secure "tariff relief" The White House, in a statement, said that starting 30 October the US would remove certain products from the list of Canadian goods it taxes, such as plywood sheets, some paper products, certain machinery and refrigeration equipment, and certain packing crates and boxes. It added those items would be replaced with certain valves, carpets, waste products, among others . The BBC has contacted the White House, US commerce department and trade representative for further comment. Also on Friday, President Donald Trump said that Canada is "working very hard" on a ⁠trade ​deal with the US.”

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   Tariffs in the second Trump administration (Wikipedia)

   WikipediaChecked Oct 23, 2026

   “During his second term as president of the United States, Donald Trump enacted a series of steep tariffs affecting nearly all goods imported into the country. From January to April 2025, the overall average effective US tariff rate rose from 2.5% to an estimated 27%—the highest level in over a century. After changes, negotiations, and the invalidation of certain tariffs by the Supreme Court of the United States, the overall average effective tariff rate was 12.1% as of July 21, 2026. The items most affected by the tariffs are metals, items mostly made of metal, and vehicles. Although the Constitution of the United States grants Congress the sole authority to levy taxes—including tariffs—since 1930, Congress has passed laws allowing the president to impose tariffs unilaterally for national security reasons. Under Section 232 of the 1962 Trade Expansion Act, Trump raised tariffs on cars, steel, aluminum, copper, and related derivative products as high as 50%. New tariffs on large-scale batteries, cast iron and iron fittings, plastic piping, industrial chemicals and power grid and telecom equipment are under consideration.”

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   History of tariffs in the United States (Wikipedia)

   WikipediaChecked Oct 23, 2026

   “Tariffs have historically played a key role in the trade policy of the United States. Economic historian Douglas Irwin classifies U.S. tariff history into three periods: a revenue period (ca. 1790–1860), a restriction period (1861–1933) and a reciprocity period (from 1934 onwards). In the first period, from 1790 to 1860, average tariffs increased from 20 percent to 60 percent before declining again to 20 percent. From 1861 to 1933, which Irwin characterizes as the "restriction period", the average tariffs rose to 50 percent and remained at that level for several decades. From 1934 onwards, in the "reciprocity period", the average tariff declined substantially until it leveled off at 5 percent. Especially after 1942, the U.S. began to promote worldwide free trade. After the 2016 presidential election which saw the election of Donald Trump who campaigned on a protectionist and economic nationalist political platform, the US increased trade protectionism.”