How will counter-tariffs impact Canadians? Here’s the potential cost

Advertisement 1 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Breadcrumb Trail Links HomeNewsCanada How will counter-tariffs impact Canadians? Here's the potential cost Experts predict that Carney's retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods will have a different effect to those imposed in March last year Author of the article: By Ellie Hutchings Published Sep 09, 2026 Last updated 3 hours ago 5 minute read Join the conversation Flags of Canada and the United States fly across the international border on the Gordie Howe International bridge that connects Windsor, Ont., and Detroit, Michigan on September 6, 2026. PHOTO BY JEFF KOWALSKY/AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES Article content In a video address on Tuesday, Prime Minister Mark Carney warned that the ongoing trade conflict with the U.S. “will come at a cost” — but he didn’t say how much. Article content He made the comments the same day that Canadian counter-tariffs on $28 billion worth of U.S. imports came into effect, with the new levies of between 15 and 50 per cent impacting a long list of U.S.-made products from toilet paper and cutlery to motorcycles and refrigerators. Article content Article content Article content These tariffs are a response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s 50 per cent tariff on $28 billion worth of Canadian goods imposed on Aug. 22, after trade talks between Canada and the U.S. broke down last month. Article content NP Posted Get a dash of perspective along with the trending news of the day in a very readable format. Sign Up By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Article content Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre called on the prime minister on Tuesday to share what the impact of the counter-tariffs on Canadian consumers would be, saying in a video shared to social media: “Every single mother, small business owner, and senior should know what they will pay in these new counter-tariffs.” Article content Here’s what economic experts are saying about the potential cost. Article content What will counter-tariffs on U.S. products cost Canada? Article content Trevor Tombe, an economist at the University of Calgary, estimated in an analysis published by The Hub that Canada’s counter-tariffs carry a $4 billion hit to Canadian consumers, which will fall hardest on lowest-income households. Article content His report suggests that households earning under $30,000 a…