
NEW YORK – US President Donald Trump on Friday signed a proclamation modifying the scope of 50-percent additional tariffs on certain Canadian products, removing some goods from the tariff list and adding others, with the changes set to take effect on Oct 30.
According to the proclamation posted on the White House website, products including plywood sheets, some paper products, certain machinery and refrigeration equipment, and certain packing crates and boxes imported into the United States from Canada will no longer be subject to the additional 50-percent ad valorem duty.
Instead, certain valves, carpets, waste products and other items imported into the US shall be subject to the additional 50-percent ad valorem duty.
The changes will apply to goods entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouses for consumption, on or after Oct 30, according to the proclamation.
"The modification in this proclamation will offset the burden or disadvantage on US commerce, is consistent with the public interests and the interests of the US, is required by the public interests, and will better serve the public interest," the proclamation states. It describes the duties as a response to what it calls Canada's "discrimination or unreasonable and unequal imposition" on US auto and auto parts exports.
Trump imposed 50 percent tariffs on about $20 billion worth of Canadian goods on Aug 22, prompting Canada to retaliate with tariffs on an equivalent value of US imports, which took effect on Sept 8.
