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A 1930 law. Never used. Until now.
To put 50% tariffs on Canada, the White House reached back to 1930 — Section 338 of the Tariff Act, the Smoot-Hawley Act, a power no president had ever used.
The tariffs took effect on 22 August 2026 and cover about $20 billion of Canadian exports: auto parts, forestry products, furniture, textiles, whiskey and hockey equipment. Trade talks collapsed after Ottawa said Washington's terms were "uneconomic, unfair" and would curtail Canada's ability to make its own deals.
Canada answers on 8 September, matching dollar for dollar with counter-tariffs of 15% to 50% on more than 700 American products. Prime Minister Mark Carney says the two countries are at war.
References
Reporting drawn from Reuters · Ottawa · 22 and 25 August 2026 · Section 338 · Tariff Act of 1930
What the reel says
Narration as scripted and voiced.
To tariff Canada, the White House reached back to 1930, Section 338 of the Smoot -Hawley Act, a power no president had ever used.
50 % on $20 billion of Canadian goods. On September the 8th, Canada answers on 700 products. Its prime minister says the two countries are at war.
