WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump ordered 50% tariffs on several Canadian products Monday in response to what his administration describes as retaliatory restrictions on imports of American goods, including alcohol, dairy and automotives.

Trump’s three separate proclamations to impose steep tariffs on items like hockey sticks, wine and cement, came just days after he threatened to slap more tariffs on Canada as smoke from raging wildfires in Ontario blanketed much of the northeastern U.S. through the weekend. But a senior administration official denied the new tariffs were in response to the smoke.

“These are not the so-called wildfire tariffs. The president has asked for options on that, and options are being shared with him. These tariffs are in response to discriminatory treatment by Canada against U.S. products,” the senior administration official said on a call with reporters Monday afternoon.

The tariffs will go into effect Aug. 19.

Trump appeared alongside Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney Sunday at the FIFA World Cup trophy ceremony in East Rutherford, New Jersey, but the two leaders did not discuss White House plans for the new tariffs, according to the senior administration official.

Trump triggered the new tariffs under Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930, a Depression-era provision that authorizes the president to impose duties up to 50% of a product’s value in response to discrimination against U.S. commerce. The provision has been long forgotten since the 1940s and has never been enforced, experts say. 

“To our knowledge, Section 338 has not been used for this purpose before,” the senior administration official told reporters. “It’s been on the books for a long time. In our view, the terms are clear: It gives the president this authority in situations where a country discriminates against the United States relative to the treatment given (to) a third country.”

Trump’s unprecedented sweeping tariffs on global goods, including from Canada, imposed in April 2025 under the 1977 International Economic Emergency Powers Act, or IEEPA, were found illegal and overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court in February.

The administration was ordered by the U.S. Court of International Trade to refund roughly $166 billion in duties paid by importers under the IEEPA tariffs.

Since the Supreme Court’s major blow to Trump’s trade agenda, the White House has sought other routes to impose tariffs. Almost immediately after the court’s decision, Trump announced a temporary base 10% tariff on all imports under section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974. Those tariffs are now being litigated in trade court.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has issued an air quality alert for parts of Minnesota, including the Twin Cities metro area, for Tuesday through Friday, as wildfires in the northern parts of the state and Canada continue. 

Hot temperatures and poor air quality can aggravate pre-existing health conditions and pose risks to people with asthma, heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes, as well as pregnant women and children. 

At extreme levels, smoke inhalation can lead to asthma attacks, heart attacks and strokes, so MPCA is advising at-risk Minnesotans to stay indoors. If you have symptoms, call your healthcare provider or 911 in an emergency. 

The MPCA advises against “vigorous” outdoor activities, like sports, which could exacerbate any serious health or lung effects. 

The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in northern Minnesota indefinitely closed on Tuesday as more than 20 wildfires have broken out as a result of lightning strikes and dry air caused by the ongoing heat wave. Evacuations are currently underway in the Boundary Waters. At least 17 people have been rescued with no reported injuries. 

Smoke from the Superior National Forest is expected to head south over the next 24 hours.

Look for hazy skies as smoke moves across northeastern Minnesota to the southern and western parts of the state. 

Even for those without preexisting health conditions, hazardous air quality can lead to shortness of breath, irritated eyes and nose, coughing and chest tightening. 

Smoky air is expected in Brainerd, Alexandria, Hinckley, St. Cloud, Winona, Moorhead, International Falls, Two Harbors, Hibbing, Ely, Duluth, and the Tribal Nations of Mille Lacs, Prairie Island, Leech Lake, White Earth, Red Lake, Grand Portage and Fond du Lac. 

Hazardous levels of smoke are expected in Two Harbors and Grant Portage; the MPCA advises residents there to avoid any outdoor activities and stay indoors. 

For Minnesotans, climate change-induced smoky skies and poor air quality are becoming a near annual summer event; the state Department of Natural Resources says 2025 was likely the smokiest year in five decades or more.