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Canada Pushes USMCA Review After Supreme Court Nullifies Trump Fentanyl Tariffs

Updated (6 articles)

Supreme Court overturns Trump’s fentanyl duties on Canadian imports The high court ruled on 21 February 2026 that the 25‑35 % tariffs imposed by former President Trump on Canadian goods were unlawful, immediately nullifying them [1]. The decision affects primarily sectors already covered by USMCA exemptions, representing roughly 85 % of the trade in question [1]. Canadian officials hailed the ruling as a correction of “unjustified” measures, though the celebration was brief [1]. The court’s action removes the only remaining tariff directly linked to the fentanyl‑related policy [1].

Other Trump tariffs on steel, aluminium and autos remain in force Despite the fentanyl ruling, duties on steel, aluminium and automobiles continue to apply to Canadian exporters [1]. Canada’s trade minister warned that “critical work” must begin ahead of the USMCA renewal deadline of 1 July [1]. The trilateral pact, covering a market of over 500 million people, will be renegotiated as the deadline approaches [1]. Negotiators anticipate intensified talks to address the surviving tariff barriers [1].

U.S. trade chief cites Canadian market barriers as negotiation hurdles U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer identified Canada’s refusal to open its wine and spirits market, restrictive dairy import rules, and the Online Streaming Act as major obstacles in the USMCA talks [1]. Canadian manufacturers, represented by Dennis Darby of Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters, argue that a successful renewal is essential to end recurring trade disruptions and to meet a goal of doubling non‑U.S. exports by 2035 [1]. Both sides stress the need for a predictable, rules‑based trade environment [1]. The dispute underscores broader tensions beyond the remaining tariffs [1].

New 10 % global tariff under IEEPA to start Tuesday, USMCA exemption retained The White House announced a 10 % tariff on certain imports beginning the following Tuesday, replacing the struck‑down fentanyl duties while preserving the USMCA exemption for Canadian goods [1]. Canada’s trade minister LeBlanc declined comment on the proclamation, signaling limited diplomatic engagement on the new measure [1]. The upcoming tariff adds another layer of complexity to the USMCA renewal negotiations [1]. Stakeholders will monitor its impact as talks progress toward the July deadline [1].

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Timeline

April 2025 – President Trump imposes 25 % tariffs on Mexican products and 35 % tariffs on Canadian goods that fail to meet USMCA requirements, signaling a hard‑line stance on non‑compliant trade [5].

Dec 5, 2025 – Trump signals he may exit the USMCA, warning that ending the pact could raise prices for cars, electronics and medical devices, and he reiterates his earlier threat of a 100 % tariff on Canadian imports if Canada pursues a China deal [5].

Dec 18, 2025 – U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer presents four Canadian trade demands to Congress—expand dairy access, revise the Online Streaming Act, lift provincial bans on U.S. liquor, and resolve the Online News Act—while USMCA talks stall [3].

Jan 30, 2026 – President Trump threatens a 50 % tariff on any Canadian aircraft sold in the United States and posts that he will “decertify… all Aircraft made in Canada,” calling Canada’s refusal to certify Gulfstream jets “wrongful, illegal, and steadfast” [2][4][6].

Jan 30, 2026 – The White House clarifies that Trump’s social‑media post does not affect aircraft already certified and in service, narrowing the scope of the threatened action [2][4].

Jan 30, 2026 – Trump signs an executive order proposing tariffs on any nation that supplies oil to Cuba, expanding U.S. pressure on Havana [2].

Jan 30, 2026 – Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez declares that Cuba has “the absolute right to import fuel” from any willing exporter, rejecting U.S. coercion [2].

Jan 30, 2026 – Prime Minister Mark Carney posts that he expects Trump to respect Canadian sovereignty after reports of Alberta separatists meeting U.S. officials, referencing earlier tariff threats [4].

Jan 30, 2026 – Bombardier stresses its U.S. footprint—3,000 workers across nine facilities and 2,800 U.S. suppliers—and urges a swift settlement to avoid major disruption to U.S. air traffic [4].

Jan 30, 2026 – Aviation experts warn that decertifying Canadian jets is unprecedented and could become a “transportation disaster,” highlighting the risk to regional airlines that operate 648 Canadian‑made CRJ jets daily [4].

Feb 20, 2026 – The Supreme Court nullifies Trump’s global “fentanyl” tariffs on Canada, ending 25‑35 % duties; about 85 % of the affected trade already enjoys USMCA exemption [1].

Feb 20, 2026 – U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer describes USMCA negotiations as “more challenging” because of Canadian barriers such as refusal to sell U.S. wine and spirits, dairy import rules, and the Online Streaming Act [1].

Feb 20, 2026 – Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters CEO Dennis Darby says businesses need a successful USMCA renewal to end recurring trade disruptions and to meet the goal of doubling non‑U.S. exports by 2035 [1].

Feb 20, 2026 – The White House confirms a 10 % global tariff under IEEPA will begin the following Tuesday, but the USMCA exemption for Canadian goods remains in place [1].

July 1, 2026 (future) – The USMCA renewal deadline arrives; all three partners must decide whether to extend the trilateral pact covering a market of over 500 million people, intensifying talks as the deadline approaches [1].

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