US ban on selected Canadian alcohol, dairy and motorcycles takes effect

The United States has barred imports of selected Canadian alcoholic drinks, dairy products and motor vehicles from 12:01am Eastern Time on 29 September. Three presidential proclamations restrict the bans to designated products, rather than entire sectors. Whey products used in protein powder and motorcycles are among the goods affected, the BBC reports. [1] [2] [3] [6]

For goods covered by the bans, import exclusion replaces an additional 50% duty. Products imported before the deadline but not yet entered for consumption, or withdrawn from a warehouse for consumption, remain subject to that duty. Other listed goods can still face additional duties. [1] [2] [3]

President Donald Trump cited what he described as Canadian discrimination against US commerce, pointing to restrictions on US alcoholic drinks and the allocation of import quotas for US cheese. Canada had already imposed surtaxes of 15%, 25% and 50% on specified US goods from 8 September, with the rate depending on the product. [1] [2] [5]

Spirits Canada, a trade association, said the US accounted for about 93% of Canada's spirits export value in 2025. It warned that producers would have limited scope to replace US demand quickly. [7]