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Trump invokes 1930 Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act to impose tariffs on Canada for first time
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Former President Donald Trump has invoked a 1930 tariff law, the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act, to impose tariffs on Canada, marking the first time a U.S. president has used this specific legal basis. The article, published by Fortune on August 2, 2026, reports that the administration's evidence supporting the tariffs is weak. The move represents a significant escalation in trade tensions between the U.S. and Canada, utilizing a protectionist law from the Great Depression era that has historically been avoided by modern presidents. The decision is likely to face legal and diplomatic challenges, given the lack of strong justification and the unprecedented nature of the action against a key ally.
Source report
By Caleb Petitt August 2, 2026
President Donald Trump has invoked a tariff law dating back to 1930 that no U.S. president has ever used before — and has applied it against Canada.
The move marks an unprecedented use of the Smoot-Hawley-era statute, which had remained dormant for nearly a century. The decision escalates trade tensions between the United States and its northern neighbor, a key ally and trading partner.
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Source
Fortune | FORTUNEWestern
Part of this Story
US Imposes 50% Tariffs on Canadian Goods, Escalating Trade War