Trump Invokes Section 338 for First Time in 70+ Years

Trump signed three proclamations under the long-dormant Section 338 of the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act of 1930, imposing 50% tariffs on Canadian motor vehicles, alcohol, dairy and other goods effective August 19 — with no USMCA exemption, even for compliant goods. The move covered nearly $20 billion in annual Canadian imports across wine, hockey sticks, cement, electronics, furniture, lumber, clothing, footwear, toys, machinery and cosmetics.