Trump Slams Canada with 35% Tariffs in Major Trade Escalation

TLDR

Table of Contents

Trump announced a 35% tariff on Canadian goods starting August 1, citing Canada’s alleged financial retaliation to earlier duties
President floated 15% to 20% blanket tariffs on most trading partners in NBC interview, higher than current 10% level
Brazil faces 50% tariff rates due to Trump’s objection to treatment of former President Jair Bolsonaro
Trump confirmed 50% copper import tariffs from August 1 to match steel and aluminum duties
Over 20 countries received tariff rate notifications this week, with most rates ranging from 20% to 40%

President Donald Trump announced Thursday that Canadian goods will face a 35% tariff starting August 1, marking an escalation from the previous 25% rate. The announcement came through a letter posted on Trump’s Truth Social platform addressed to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.

🚨 LATEST: Trump escalates the trade war with a 35% tariff on Canadian imports and warns other countries without deals to expect 15-20% tariffs! #TradeWar #Tariffs pic.twitter.com/ct6oJ19ZyA
— Trader Edge (@Pro_Trader_Edge) July 11, 2025

Trump cited Canada’s alleged financial retaliation against earlier U.S. duties as justification for the increased tariffs. The president warned that any countermeasures from Canada would result in even higher tariff rates being applied to Canadian exports.

The new tariff includes a major caveat that could limit its impact. Goods that fall under the existing free-trade agreement between the two nations will remain exempt from the 35% rate. Prime Minister Carney stated on social media that he continues working to reach a new trade agreement with the U.S. before the August 1 deadline.

Trump specifically mentioned tariffs against U.S. dairy products and concerns about the fentanyl trade as reasons for imposing the higher tax on goods from Canada. The president also warned that attempts to evade tariffs through transshipments would trigger even higher rates.

Broader Tariff Campaign Intensifies

The Canada announcement represents the latest move in Trump’s expanded tariff campaign this week. The president has sent letters to approximately 20 countries outlining their new tariff rates if alternative arrangements aren’t reached by the end of July.

Brazil received one of the harshest penalties with a 50% tariff rate. Trump imposed this rate due to his objection to the treatment of Brazil’s former President Jair Bolsonaro. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has responded by stating Brazil can survive without U.S. trade and will seek other partners.

In an NBC News interview published Thursday, Trump suggested that countries not receiving specific letters would face 15% to 20% blanket tariffs. This represents an increase from the current 10% universal tariff rate in effect.

Most of the 20 countries that received tariff notifications face rates between 20% and 40%. These rates generally align with levels Trump announced in April, though some have been adjusted based on recent developments.

Metal and Pharmaceutical Sectors Targeted

Trump confirmed this week that copper imports will face 50% tariffs starting August 1, matching the rates already applied to steel and aluminum. The copper tariffs will include materials used for power grids, military applications, and data centers according to Bloomberg reporting.

The president also suggested implementing a 200% tariff on pharmaceuticals in the future. Trump stated these high tariffs aim to encourage domestic growth in these industries, though they have already pushed up copper prices and raised concerns about competitive disadvantages for U.S. businesses.

Vietnam negotiated a deal for a 20% tariff rate, lower than the 46% Trump had threatened in April. However, Vietnamese goods face a 40% tariff on any transshipping where products originate from another country like China. Reports indicate Vietnam’s leadership was caught off guard by Trump’s announcement and is seeking to lower the rate further.

The European Union has signaled willingness to accept a 10% universal tariff on many exports while seeking exemptions for certain sectors. The bloc is working to finalize a deal this week.

China warned Trump on Tuesday against restarting trade tensions and threatened to retaliate against countries that make deals with the U.S. to exclude China from supply chains.

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