On September 8, President Trump signed five proclamations under Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930, escalating the Administration’s response to what it describes as continued Canadian discrimination against U.S. commerce involving motor vehicles, dairy, and alcoholic beverages. Three of the proclamations exclude certain Canadian products from importation into the United States, effective at 12:01 AM ET on September 29, 2026. The remaining two, including the proclamation on motor vehicles and auto-related products, modify the scope of products subject to the existing 50 percent tariff, with those changes taking effect at 12:01 AM ET on September 15, 2026. Earlier on September 8, Canada’s retaliatory tariffs on U.S. exports went into effect. Additional background on the motor vehicle proclamation is included below. Section 338 authorizes the President to exclude articles of a foreign country from importation where that country maintains or increases discrimination against U.S. commerce and the President deems exclusion consistent with the public interest and the interests of the United States. The September 8 actions are the first use of that exclusion authority in this dispute.
Import Bans Affecting the Automotive Industry (effective September 29)
Motor Vehicles: A proclamation excluding from importation certain Canadian products currently subject to the additional duties imposed under Proclamation 11048. The President finds that Canada did not revoke its motor vehicle tariff scheme following imposition of the duties.
– ANNEX
