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    • What does the Canada-U.S. tariff war mean for your business?

    Canada–U.S. Tariff Info Hub

    Last reviewed: 31 August 2026

    What does the Canada–U.S. trade dispute mean for your business? Trade negotiations are currently suspended, U.S. Section 338 duties are in force, and Canada’s matching counter-tariffs take effect 8 September 2026. This hub gives Saskatchewan contractors a current, plain-language view of the tariffs in force and coming into effect, where the CUSMA negotiation stands, and practical steps to protect your contracts — each linked to its primary source so you can verify the detail yourself.

    Canada–U.S. Tariff Info Hub

    Last reviewed: 31 August 2026

    What does the Canada–U.S. trade dispute mean for your business? Trade negotiations are currently suspended, U.S. Section 338 duties are in force, and Canada’s matching counter-tariffs take effect 8 September 2026. This hub gives Saskatchewan contractors a current, plain-language view of the tariffs in force and coming into effect, where the CUSMA negotiation stands, and practical steps to protect your contracts, each linked to its primary source so you can verify the detail yourself.

    What this means for your projects

    Most Saskatchewan contractors buy materials rather than export finished goods, so Canada’s counter-tariffs on U.S. products are the ones most likely to hit your costs. The measures below are ranked by their likely effect on construction inputs, check the chronological tracker underneath for dates, rates, and sources.

    High impactDirect, near-term cost on core construction materials
    Canadian counter-tariff on U.S. steel & aluminum rising 25% → 50%
    Effective 8 Sep 2026, Canada’s existing 25% counter-tariff on U.S.-origin steel and aluminum increases to 50% to match U.S. rates. Covers the full range of iron & steel products (ingots, semi-finished, flat-rolled, coated). If you source structural steel, rebar, or aluminum from U.S. suppliers, confirm each item’s tariff-item rate before ordering.
    50%
    from 8 Sep
    U.S. Section 232 tariffs on steel, aluminum & copper (50%)
    A 50% U.S. tariff applies to steel, aluminum, and copper with no USMCA exemption (lower rates for certain products). This raises the landed cost of these materials across the integrated North American market and feeds into supplier pricing on both sides of the border. Copper affects wiring, plumbing, and mechanical/electrical components.
    50%
    in force

    Medium impactCost on finishings, systems, and wood products
    Counter-tariffs on U.S. appliances, equipment, plastics & electronics
    Canada’s 8 Sep package targets U.S.-origin appliances, agricultural equipment, pulp and paper, plastics, and electronics at rates matching the corresponding U.S. tariff. These reach fixtures, mechanical/electrical equipment, and finishing materials. Confirm the per-item rate on the Finance Canada list.
    up to 50%
    from 8 Sep
    U.S. tariffs on lumber, timber & wooden products
    Per CRS, U.S. Section 232 tariffs apply at 10% on timber and lumber and 25% on certain wooden products (no USMCA exemption), with antidumping/countervailing duties on Canadian softwood lumber applying on top. Affects framing lumber and wood products; verify the combined softwood rate against U.S. Commerce before quoting.
    10–25%+AD/CVD
    in force

    Watch / indirectBaseline and cross-border measures with broader or lower effect
    10% U.S. baseline (Section 301) on most Canadian goods
    A 10% Section 301 tariff applies to most Canadian goods entering the U.S., with USMCA-compliant goods exempt. Per CRS, in 2025 the U.S. charged duties on about 15% of imports from Canada by value; most goods entered duty-free as USMCA-certified. Matters mainly if you supply into U.S. projects or move goods south.
    10%
    in force
    Auto-sector tariffs (both directions) & the Section 338 duties
    U.S. vehicle/parts tariffs (25%; buses 10%) and Canada’s matching vehicle surtaxes mainly affect fleet and equipment purchases, not core building materials. The U.S. Section 338 duties (50% on alcohol, dairy, paper & wood products, and assorted goods) touch construction chiefly through paper and wood products.
    10–50%
    in force

    Impact ranking is CASK’s general guide for construction inputs, not a substitute for checking your own bill of materials against the official rates. Rates and dates can change, verify against the primary sources linked in the tracker below.

    Tariff Tracker

    The full slate of measures, in order of when they took (or take) effect, grouped by status.

    Live tariff status
    Scheduled: effective date set In force Recently retired / suspended

    Scheduled: Canada’s counter-tariffs (effective 8 Sep 2026)
    Effective 8 Sep 2026
    Canada → U.S.
    Dollar-for-dollar surtax on ~$27.6B of U.S. goods
    Canada will impose 15%, 25%, and 50% surtaxes on U.S. products, with each product’s rate matching the U.S. rate on the equivalent good. Concentrated in steel and aluminum, dairy, appliances, agricultural equipment, pulp and paper, plastics, and electronics. In steel and aluminum, existing counter-tariffs rise from 25% to 50%. Existing counter-tariffs, including on U.S. autos, continue to apply. Applies only to goods that qualify as U.S.-origin for marking purposes; goods in transit on 8 Sep are exempt.

    Finance Canada: complete list & rates

    15–50%

    8 Sep

    Effective 8 Sep 2026
    Canada → U.S.
    Steel & aluminum surtax increase (25% → 50%)
    The construction-relevant piece of the 8 Sep package: Canada’s counter-tariff on U.S.-origin steel and aluminum doubles from 25% to 50%, matching the U.S. Section 232 rate, and spans the full Chapter 72 iron & steel range. Contractors buying U.S. steel or aluminum should confirm the tariff-item rate before committing to a price.

    Finance Canada: complete list & rates

    50%

    8 Sep

    In force: U.S. baseline tariff on Canadian goods
    Since mid-2026
    U.S. → Canada
    10% baseline tariff on most Canadian goods (Section 301)
    After the earlier IEEPA tariffs were struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court (Feb 2026) and a temporary 10% surcharge expired in July 2026, the U.S. imposed a 10% Section 301 tariff on Canadian goods (part of an action covering 60 partners). USMCA-compliant goods are exempt, per CRS, most Canadian goods enter duty-free on that basis.

    Congressional Research Service: IF12595

    10%

    In force

    In force: U.S. sector tariffs (construction materials)
    2025
    U.S. → Canada / global
    Steel, aluminum & copper (Section 232)
    50% Section 232 tariff on steel, aluminum, and copper, with no USMCA exemption (a lower rate applies to certain products). Applies to articles and derivatives, steel, rebar, aluminum, and semi-finished copper used in wiring, plumbing, and mechanical/electrical work.

    Congressional Research Service: IF12595

    50%

    In force

    2025
    U.S. → Canada
    Timber, lumber & wooden products (Section 232 / AD-CVD)
    Per CRS Table 1, Section 232 tariffs apply at 10% on timber and lumber and 25% on certain wooden products, with no USMCA exemption. Separate antidumping and countervailing duties on Canadian softwood lumber apply on top of the Section 232 rate. Affects framing lumber and wood products, confirm the current combined softwood rate against the U.S. Commerce Department before citing a figure.

    Congressional Research Service: IF12595

    10–25%

    In force

    In force: U.S. Section 338 tariffs (effective 22 Aug 2026)
    22 Aug 2026
    U.S. → Canada
    Section 338 duty on selected Canadian goods (~$27.6B)
    50% duty on alcoholic beverages, dairy, paper and wood products, and assorted other goods, to “offset Canadian discrimination.” Per CRS, this is the first time the U.S. has expressly cited Section 338 to impose tariffs. Scheduled for 19 Aug, briefly suspended 18 Aug, then imposed effective 22 Aug on roughly $27.6B of goods; no USMCA exemption. For construction, the paper and wood products are the relevant categories, note these are a separate Section 338 action on Canadian exports, distinct from the U.S. Section 232 tariffs on timber and lumber listed above.

    Congressional Research Service: IF12595

    50%

    In force

    In force: auto-sector tariffs (both directions)
    Mar/Apr 2025
    U.S. → Canada
    Automobiles, auto parts, trucks & buses (Section 232)
    Per CRS Table 1: passenger vehicles and auto parts 25%; trucks 25%; buses 10%; related parts 25%. Parts are fully exempt for USMCA-compliant goods; vehicles are partially exempt. Mainly relevant to fleet and equipment purchases rather than building materials.

    Congressional Research Service: IF12595

    10–25%

    In force

    Since 9 Apr 2025
    Canada → U.S.
    Surtax on U.S. motor vehicles (Canada)
    Canada’s United States Surtax Order (Motor Vehicles 2025), SOR/2025-118: 25% on non-CUSMA-qualifying U.S. vehicles, 25% on the non-North-American content of qualifying vehicles, plus tariff-rate quotas. These continue to apply alongside the 8 Sep package.

    Finance Canada: complete list & rates

    25%

    In force

    ▸ Retired, suspended & superseded measures (for reference)
    Feb–Jul 2026
    U.S. → Canada
    IEEPA tariffs & the temporary import surcharge
    The U.S. Supreme Court held in Feb 2026 that IEEPA does not authorize the President to impose tariffs; the Administration ended the IEEPA tariffs and applied a 10%, 150-day Section 122 “temporary import surcharge” on most imports. That surcharge expired in July 2026 and was replaced by the 10% Section 301 tariff now in force.

    Congressional Research Service: IF12595

    –

    Superseded

    18 Aug 2026
    U.S. → Canada
    Temporary suspension of the Section 338 duties
    On 18 Aug the U.S. temporarily suspended the additional Section 338 duties on alcohol, dairy, and motor vehicles scheduled for 19 Aug. The suspension was short-lived: the 50% duties were imposed on ~$27.6B of goods effective 22 Aug (see “In force” above).
    –

    Superseded

    Sep 2025
    Canada → U.S.
    Partial termination of Canadian retaliatory tariffs
    Per CRS, Canada exempted certain sectors and companies from its retaliatory tariffs in April 2025 and terminated some measures from September 2025. Canadian tariffs remained on U.S. vehicles and on about C$15.6B (US$11B) of U.S. steel and aluminum, the base the 8 Sep increase now builds on.

    Congressional Research Service: IF12595

    –

    Retired

    Primary sources: Congressional Research Service, U.S.–Canada Trade Relations (IF12595, 28 Aug 2026); Finance Canada: complete list of U.S. products subject to counter tariffs (eff. 8 Sep 2026); Prime Minister’s Office statement (21 Aug 2026); and the White House fact sheet (20 Jul 2026).

    For general information only; not legal or trade advice. Canada’s counter-tariff goods and per-item rates are set out at the tariff-item level in the Finance Canada list, read with the Schedule to Canada’s Customs Tariff; U.S. rates follow CRS IF12595 Table 1 as of 25 Aug 2026. Rates and effective dates can change, verify against the linked primary source before making procurement or contract decisions.

    Where CUSMA stands

    The negotiation, at a glance

    The agreement governing most North American trade, under joint review, with U.S.–Canada talks suspended.
    The framework
    CUSMA/USMCA governs North American trade; USMCA-compliant goods still enter the U.S. largely duty-free. In July 2026 Canada and Mexico sought renewal; the U.S. declined. If not renewed, the agreement is set to expire in 2036.
    U.S. position
    The U.S. declined to renew USMCA in its current form and imposed the 50% Section 338 duties, the first-ever use of that statute, to “offset Canadian discrimination.” It says it prefers to address issues with Canada and Mexico bilaterally.
    Canada’s position
    On 21 Aug the Prime Minister said late U.S. changes to the terms were “unfair, uneconomic,” suspended negotiations, and recalled Canada’s negotiators. Canada will match the U.S. tariffs dollar for dollar and has challenged the Section 232 tariffs at the WTO.
    Key date to watch
    8 Sep 2026, Canada’s counter-tariffs take effect at 12:01 a.m., doubling the surtax on U.S.-origin steel and aluminum to 50% and adding appliances, equipment, plastics, and electronics.

    Relevance to construction: the U.S. Section 232 tariffs (steel, aluminum, copper, lumber) apply on national-security grounds regardless of CUSMA status, and the Section 338 duties apply with no USMCA exemption. CASK’s general read is that for most Saskatchewan contractors the bigger exposure is on the import side: Canada’s 8 Sep countermeasures raise the cost of U.S.-origin steel, aluminum, appliances, equipment, and plastics. Members who buy materials in either direction should check the specific tariff-item rate before committing to a price.

    Protect your business

    Practical steps from the Canadian Construction Association (CCA) to manage tariff cost risk in your contracts.

    Existing contracts

    Check for duty provisions. See whether your contract allows price adjustments for changes in taxes and customs duties, e.g. GC 10.1 in CCDC 2 or CCA 1. Review supplementary conditions too.
    No provision? Without duty clauses, contractors may be liable for the increased costs.
    Owners: CCA encourages fairly considering price-adjustment requests when contractors face unforeseen tariff-driven cost increases.

    New contracts

    Raise it early. If a potential project lacks duty provisions, especially with known upcoming duty changes like the 8 Sep counter-tariffs, formally flag it to the owner.
    Include duty provisions. Encourage the owner to address duty uncertainty in the bid documents; GC 10.1 of CCDC 2 offers standard wording.

    Cost recovery

    Unforeseen duty costs. You may have a case to recover added costs, though it is harder without clear contract provisions.
    Delay-driven escalation. If changes, delays, or suspensions push material purchases into higher-cost periods, recovery may be possible depending on the contract.
    Read your contract. The single most important step is understanding your contract terms. For the full guidance and CCA’s five-part “Read your construction contract” webinar series, see CCA: Preparing your business for potential tariffs.

    Key resources

    Evergreen tools and official guidance, kept short and current, not a news archive.

    Government of Canada
    Canada’s response to U.S. tariffs
    Authoritative hub for the complete counter-tariff list, tariff items, effective dates, and rates.
    Look up your product
    Canada Tariff Finder
    Find the tariff applicable to a specific product by tariff item. Confirm the current direct link before publishing.
    Border administration
    CBSA Customs Notices
    How the counter-tariffs are administered at the border, including in-transit rules. Confirm the current direct link before publishing.
    U.S. tariff overview
    CRS: U.S.–Canada Trade Relations
    Nonpartisan summary of current U.S. tariffs on Canada, with a rate table by authority.
    CCA guidance
    Preparing your business for tariffs
    Contract protection, cost recovery, and the “Read your contract” webinar series.
    Contract forms
    CCDC 2: Stipulated Price Contract
    Standard contract with GC 10.1 duty-adjustment wording referenced by CCA.

    Seeing tariff impacts on your projects?

    The situation is evolving quickly, negotiations are suspended and Canada’s counter-tariffs take effect 8 September, doubling the surtax on U.S. steel and aluminum. If you are encountering tariff-related cost changes, contract clauses, or supply issues, share the details, your input helps CASK advocate and keep this hub accurate. Email webuildsk@constructionsk.ca with questions about how these measures affect your business.

    Does CUSMA protect my goods?

    Plain-language answers to the question we hear most: if CUSMA is still in effect, why are my materials getting tariffed? Here is how it fits together, and where to check your own goods.

    Still in effect

    CUSMA has not gone away

    CUSMA remains in force. The 2026 review is a scheduled review, not a cancellation. Goods that qualify under CUSMA still move tariff-free for the measures that recognize it. The agreement is set to continue unless all three countries decide otherwise.
    The catch

    New tariffs sit on top of CUSMA

    The current dispute added a separate layer of tariffs that applies regardless of CUSMA status. The U.S. Section 232 tariffs on steel, aluminum, copper, and lumber, and Canada’s matching counter-tariffs on U.S.-origin goods, are not waived just because a good is CUSMA-compliant. This is why your materials can still be tariffed.
    How to know

    Qualification is per item

    Whether a good qualifies under CUSMA is decided by its rule of origin, not by where it ships from. “Made in the U.S.” is not the same as “CUSMA-qualifying.” Each product must meet its own rule, so a specific item has to be checked against its tariff classification.

    Relief may be available

    The federal government provides tariff relief (remission) in specific circumstances, as a waived tariff or a refund. Some categories are covered on a generally-available basis, and where they are not, importers can submit a request for exceptional relief. Whether your goods qualify depends on the specific product and how it is used, so check the official pages below or speak with your customs broker.

    Examples of existing relief include goods used in public health and safety, aluminum goods used as manufacturing inputs, and a range of goods listed in the relief schedules. Goods that are later re-exported may also be eligible for refund or relief.

    Check your goods: official resources

    Finance Canada
    Tariff relief for importers of U.S. goods
    Existing relief, what qualifies, and how to make a remission request.
    Finance Canada
    Canada’s tariff responses, by sector
    The hub for steel, aluminum, autos, and the remission programs.
    Look up your product
    Canada Tariff Finder
    The most member-friendly tool: search a product and see the tariff that applies. Start here if you want a quick answer for a specific item.
    CBSA
    Importing & proving origin (CBSA)
    The practical import hub. See “Origin of goods” and the CUSMA links for how to prove origin and claim duty-free treatment on qualifying goods.

    For general information only; not legal, customs, or trade advice. Whether a specific good qualifies under CUSMA or for tariff relief depends on its classification and use. Confirm against the official sources above, or consult your customs broker, before making procurement or contract decisions. Sources: Finance Canada, Canada’s tariff responses to the changing global trade landscape, and Tariff relief for Canadian importers importing goods from the U.S.

    Recognizing the importance of these announcements CASK in collaboration with CCA, is diligently working to thoroughly evaluate how these tariffs will be implemented and their potential impact on Saskatchewan’s construction industry.

    We are committed to keeping you informed and will continue to provide updates as the situation develops. In the meantime, we are here to support you, please feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns regarding the effects of these tariffs and countermeasures.

    For any questions/suggestions contact:

    Ryan Fredrickson

    Ryan Fredrickson

    Director of Operations

    (306) 653-1771

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