--- title: "Last-minute: US delays 50% tariff on Canadian goods and agrees to pause on Colombian tariffs" description: "Washington delayed a 50% tariff on $20 billion worth of Canadian goods less than two hours before it was due to take effect, citing a reached agreement. At the same time, the US agreed to a temporary pause on Colombian tariffs." date: 2026-08-19T23:05:31.000Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/us-delays-50-percent-tariff-on-canadian-goods tags: [usa, canada, tariffs, trump, mark-carney, usmca, colombia, trade-war] publisher: "XAB.info" --- # Last-minute: US delays 50% tariff on Canadian goods and agrees to pause on Colombian tariffs ![Donald Trump and Colombian President Marco Rubio in a tense conversation amid US tariff negotiations](https://xab.info/media/2026/08/20/ssha-otlozhili-50-procentnuyu-poshlinu-na-knadskie-tovary/ssha-otlozhili-50-procentnuyu-poshlinu-na-knadskie-tovary-1.webp) ## 🎯 Key Points - The US delayed the introduction of a 50% tariff on Canadian goods worth about $20 billion (~5% of Canada's exports to the US) less than two hours before the deadline. - The tariff was planned on the basis of Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930; according to reports, this was the first time this provision had been invoked. - Negotiations are underway amid disputes over tariffs on steel, aluminum, and lumber and in the context of the USMCA review (trade volume of ~$880 billion in 2025). - The US also agreed to temporarily suspend 12.5% tariffs on Colombian goods after a call between De La Espriella and Marco Rubio; Trade Minister Mauricio Gomez was sent to Washington. Washington at the last minute pulled back a new round of trade escalation with Ottawa. According to UANA's correspondent in Washington, US President Donald Trump stated on social media that the United States had decided to temporarily delay the introduction of a 50% tariff on a range of Canadian goods following negotiations, citing the fact that both countries had reached a fundamental agreement and were now only awaiting the completion of the relevant procedures and documentation. According to the agency, the decision was made less than two hours before the new tariffs were due to take effect, allowing a new flare-up in relations between the two long-standing neighbors and allies to be avoided. ### Scope and legal basis of the tariff The potential 50% tariff would have covered Canadian goods worth approximately $20 billion, or about 5% of Canada's total exports to the US. The list included, in particular, hockey equipment and certain categories of consumer goods. Previously, the Trump administration had planned to impose these tariffs, citing Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930 and claiming that Canada applies discriminatory practices against American goods and businesses. According to available information, this was the first time Washington had invoked this provision, which allows the president to impose tariffs of up to 50% on goods from countries considered to treat trade with the US unfairly. ### Background of trade tensions and the fate of USMCA The negotiations took place against the backdrop of already strained trade relations between the two countries due to tariffs previously imposed by Washington. Ottawa is seeking a reduction or cancellation of US tariffs on steel, aluminum, and lumber, while Washington is demanding further concessions from Canada in the areas of trade, defense, and access to key mineral resources. The temporary suspension of the tariffs gives the parties additional time to work on revising the trade agreement between the US, Mexico, and Canada (USMCA). The total volume of trade in goods and services between the two countries in 2025 is estimated to reach approximately $880 billion, making any escalation critical for both economies. ### Colombian track: pause after the earthquake In parallel, in Colombia, President Abelardo De La Espriella announced on August 18 that the United States was ready to temporarily suspend the tariffs applied to Colombian goods. According to the president, after a phone call with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Washington agreed to meet Bogotá's request, and both sides are taking the necessary steps; De La Espriella instructed Trade Minister Mauricio Gomez to travel to Washington to facilitate reaching an agreement. It is worth recalling that on June 24 the US imposed an additional 12.5% tariff on most goods from Colombia as part of a policy based on Section 301 of the US Trade Act and linked to an investigation into countries' practices regarding the prevention of goods produced using forced labor. Colombia sought a temporary suspension, including in connection with recovery from the magnitude 7.4 earthquake that occurred on August 10, and also introduced a bill banning the import of goods produced wholly or partly using forced labor. ### Contradictory data The available wording from the parties and agencies contains discrepancies regarding the legal status of what was achieved. On the one hand, Trump speaks of a "fundamental agreement" that only needs to be formalized in documents, implying proximity to a full deal. On the other hand, the discussion concerns a temporary delay/suspension of the tariff's introduction, not its cancellation, meaning the basic decision on the 50% tariff formally remains in place and could be activated later. In addition, the legal basis cited for the tariff is Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930 — a formulation that is atypical for US public tariff practices and requires further verification; in the Colombian track, by contrast, the more familiar Section 301 is used. These inconsistencies in terminology and legal basis should be taken into account when assessing the outcomes of the negotiations. ## 🔍 Fact-Check Verification - [US temporarily delays the introduction of tariffs on Canadian goods.](https://www.vietnam.vn/ru/my-tam-hoan-ap-thue-hang-hoa-cua-canada) - Подтверждает временную отсрочку 50% пошлины на канадские товары после переговоров. - [Trump delays the introduction of 50% tariffs on some goods from Canada](https://utro.ru/news/economics/2026/08/19/1573676.shtml) - Подтверждает решение Трампа и охват 'части товаров' из Канады. - [US and Canada move closer to a trade deal. Washington delays the introduction of 50% tariffs](https://www.finversia.ru/news/markets/ssha-i-kanada-priblizilis-k-torgovomu-soglasheniyu-vashington-otlozhil-vvedenie-50-poshlin-176204) - Формулирует ситуацию как приближение к соглашению; согласуется с тезисом о 'принципиальном соглашении'. - [Trump backs down at the last minute from his tariff threats](https://www.mk.ru/politics/2026/08/19/tramp-v-posledniy-moment-otygral-nazad-so-svoimi-tarifnymi-ugrozami.html) - Подтверждает характер 'последнего момента' решения и отход от тарифных угроз. ## ❓ FAQ ### Q: What exactly did the US delay with regard to Canada? **A:** Washington temporarily delayed the introduction of a 50% tariff on a range of Canadian goods worth about $20 billion (roughly 5% of Canada's exports to the US), including hockey equipment and certain consumer goods. ### Q: On what basis was this tariff planned? **A:** The Trump administration cited Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930, claiming discriminatory practices by Canada; according to reports, this was the first time this provision had been invoked. ### Q: What is happening with Colombian goods? **A:** After a phone call between President Abelardo De La Espriella and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the US agreed to temporarily suspend 12.5% tariffs on Colombian goods; Trade Minister Mauricio Gomez was sent to Washington. ### Q: What is the total volume of US-Canada trade? **A:** According to estimates, the total volume of trade in goods and services between the two countries in 2025 will reach approximately $880 billion.