Claim: A viral social media post claims that Canada imposes exorbitant tariffs on American goods, with some exceeding 200 percent on dairy, poultry, sugar, and peanut butter.
Verdict: Misleading – Most U.S. goods enter Canada duty-free under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), with higher tariffs only applying to agricultural products that exceed supply management quotas.
The Claim: A widely shared social media post alleges that Canada imposes extreme tariffs on U.S. imports, including fees over 200 percent on dairy and poultry and more than 100 percent on tobacco, rice, vegetables, and fish. The post suggests these tariffs were in place before former U.S. President Donald Trump imposed new duties on Canadian goods in March 2025.
Fact-Check Analysis: A detailed examination of the claim shows it to be misleading. Most U.S. goods enter Canada tariff-free under trade agreements that have been in place for decades.
- USMCA and Tariff-Free Trade: The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which replaced NAFTA, allows most products to cross the border duty-free. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) classifies numerous U.S. imports as tariff-free, including cars, rice, aluminum, and footwear.
- False Tariff Claims: The viral post includes exaggerated tariff rates for many products. A review of CBSA data confirms that items such as barley seed, peanut butter, bovine meat, and tobacco are not subject to import duties from the U.S.
- Supply Management System: While Canada does impose high tariffs on certain agricultural products, these only apply if imports exceed pre-set quotas. For example, milk faces a 7.5 percent tariff within the quota but can rise to 241 percent for imports beyond the allowed limit. These measures are part of Canada’s supply management system, designed to stabilize domestic markets.
- Historical Misinformation: Claims about high Canadian tariffs have circulated for years, often resurfacing during trade disputes. Trump previously cited a 270 percent tariff on milk without context during his presidency.
- Trade Balance Data: Official statistics show that Canada’s trade relationship with the U.S. is largely balanced. The primary trade surplus comes from oil and gas exports rather than excessive tariffs on U.S. products.
Conclusion: The viral social media post misrepresents Canadian tariffs by ignoring the duty-free status of most U.S. goods under USMCA. While high tariffs exist for select agricultural products exceeding import quotas, the majority of U.S. exports to Canada face no tariffs. The claim is misleading and lacks context.
Verdict: Misleading