Canada: Trade Regulation & Practices

On July 20, 2026, President Trump issued three tariff actions to impose 50% ad valorem tariffs on a wide range of imports from Canada to "hold Canada accountable for its retaliation and discrimination" in the motor vehicle, alcoholic beverage, and dairy sectors. These tariffs are currently set to take effect on August 19, 2026.

President Trump has invoked Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930 for the first time in history, imposing an additional 50% tariff on nearly US$20 billion worth of Canadian goods across automobiles, alcoholic beverages, and dairy sectors. These tariffs, effective August 19, 2026, apply regardless of USMCA compliance and stack on top of existing duties, fundamentally altering the Canada-U.S. trade landscape. Canadian businesses must urgently assess their exposure as these unprecedented measures arrive amid s

Le Bureau de la concurrence du Canada intensifie ses activités d'application de la loi avec 116 examens de fusions réalisés au premier semestre 2026, une enquête sur les contrôles de propriété d'Empire Company Limited dans la chaîne d'approvisionnement alimentaire, et la publication de nouvelles lignes directrices sur les cartels. Les développements récents incluent également une entente par voie de consentement avec BVD Petroleum concernant l'acquisiti

Canada has implemented multiple layers of surtaxes targeting aluminum products of Chinese origin, with rates reaching 25% under various orders. These measures can apply even when products are shipped through third countries, and when combined with Anti-Dumping and Countervailing duties, total duties can exceed 180% for certain aluminum goods.

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) issued a scope ruling determining whether National Nail's concealed deck screws fall within the definition of goods subject to anti-dumping and countervailing duties on carbon steel fasteners from China and Chinese Taipei. This ruling examines the physical characteristics, usage, and packaging of the screws to assess their classification under the Canadian International Trade Tribunal's (CITT) order.

Major economies including the EU, UK, and US are recalibrating competition policy to prioritize productivity growth, investment attraction, and national competitiveness. As Canada's federal government emphasizes similar economic objectives, questions arise about whether the Competition Bureau's enforcement approach should evolve to align with these shifting priorities and support Canadian businesses in achieving scale efficiencies.

Amazon has agreed to pay a $1,000,000 administrative monetary penalty and $60,000 in Competition Bureau costs, following the Bureau's conclusion that Amazon did not substantiate its sale prices.

The Competition Bureau wants to make sure that mattress buyers get a good night's sleep knowing that they actually saved money instead of receiving a fake discount.

The threshold for advance review and Ministerial approval of certain direct foreign acquisitions of control of Canadian businesses under the Investment Canada Act is subject to annual indexing for inflation.