U.S. Import Ban on Canadian Alcohol, Dairy Products and Motorcycles Takes Effect

A U.S. import ban on Canadian beer, wine, whisky, some dairy products and motorcycles took effect Tuesday. The measures are not expected to have a major impact on Canada’s overall economy.

U.S. President Donald Trump said Canada could contact Washington within the next three to four weeks to negotiate a trade deal. Speaking to reporters at the White House hours before the restrictions took effect, Trump claimed Canadian officials would come to the negotiating table and express regret over what he described as Canada’s long-standing unfair treatment of the United States.

Trump also repeated his criticism of Canadian agricultural tariffs and questioned Canada’s immigration system, alleging that people are being allowed to enter the country without adequate screening.

Meanwhile, Trump’s senior trade adviser Peter Navarro described the Canadian government as highly stubborn and accused Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government of developing closer ties with China. The comments came despite Trump recently welcoming Chinese President Xi Jinping during a visit to Washington.