The Government of Canada highlights targeted countermeasures and substantive support for workers and businesses in response to U.S. tariffs in Sarnia

The Government of Canada has negotiated intensively and in good faith with the United States (U.S.) toward a fair and comprehensive trade agreement that would protect Canadian workers and their families, strengthen the economy, provide greater certainty for businesses, and respect Canada’s sovereignty.

August 27, 2026 – Sarnia, Ontario - Department of Finance Canada

The Government of Canada has negotiated intensively and in good faith with the United States (U.S.) toward a fair and comprehensive trade agreement that would protect Canadian workers and their families, strengthen the economy, provide greater certainty for businesses, and respect Canada’s sovereignty.

In recent days, however, the U.S. proposed new terms that were not in Canada’s best interest, basically, asking too much of Canada, and offering too little in return. Canada therefore suspended negotiations rather than accepting a bad deal that would undermine Canadian workers, businesses, strategic sectors, and our national interest. Canada did not choose this trade conflict, but we need to respond to provide a level playing field to our businesses.

Today, the Honourable Wayne Long, Secretary of State (Canada Revenue Agency and Financial Institutions), met with workers at Forbes Dairy Farm in Sarnia, Ontario, and highlighted measures announced earlier this week by the government to protect and support Canadian workers and businesses during this period of uncertainty and volatility.

Following the U.S. decision to impose a 50 per cent tariff on $27.6 billion of Canadian goods effective August 22, the government of Canada will match the new U.S. tariffs dollar for dollar, rate for rate, with additional Canadian tariffs on U.S. goods. This focused response will protect Canadian workers, farmers,  families, and businesses, defend industries harmed by unjustified U.S. tariffs, and help Canadian producers compete with U.S. products in the Canadian market.