U.S. President Donald Trump signed a proclamation on the 8th (local time) banning imports of Canadian dairy products, alcohol, and motorcycles, effective at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time on the 29th.

The White House released three proclamations signed by President Trump regarding these measures through its website on this day.

This came as Canada began imposing tariffs of up to 50% on 27.6 billion Canadian dollars (approximately 20 billion U.S. dollars / 26.8 trillion won) worth of U.S. imports starting at midnight.

This followed a retaliatory move after the U.S. began imposing tariffs of up to 50% on approximately 20 billion U.S. dollars (about 26.8 trillion won) worth of Canadian products starting on the 22nd.

President Trump's directive through the proclamation to ban imports of specific Canadian products marks yet another retaliatory step.

The trade war between the two countries, which were previously closest neighbors sharing a North American border, is showing signs of further escalation.

According to President Trump's proclamation and its annexes, the import ban targets 14 dairy items, including whey protein concentrates, processed whey, molasses, and non-alcoholic beer.

The banned alcoholic beverages include 14 items such as malt beer, sparkling wine, and wine.

In addition, motorcycles and bicycles equipped with reciprocating internal combustion piston engines with a cylinder capacity exceeding 800cc were placed on the import ban list.

President Trump cited Section 338 of the Tariff Act as the legal basis for these import ban orders.

This provision grants the president the authority to impose tariffs of up to 50% or ban imports of products from countries that discriminate in commerce against the United States.

Previously, President Trump stated via his social media platform Truth Social that he instructed the General Services Administration (GSA) to exclude Canadian products entering the U.S. procurement market through the Multiple Award Schedule program.

A senior U.S. administration official explained during a White House press briefing that day, "The major actions taken today are announcements regarding import bans, modifications to existing tariffs, and restrictions on Canadian companies' participation in U.S. procurement."

The official added, "This is a step we are taking to rebuild a level playing field, protect American production, and respond to one of the few countries on the planet that has retaliated against the United States in the process of pursuing re-industrialization and trade policy shifts in accordance with the president's pledges."

The official also stated that President Trump's announcement on August 24 to raise tariffs on Canadian automobiles, auto parts, and steel to 50% starting January 1 of next year "remains in effect."

When asked whether the trade war with Canada could be resolved through dialogue and negotiation, the official replied, "Over the past few days, I've had conversations with my counterpart, Dominic LeBlanc, Canada's minister of intergovernmental affairs and trade with the U.S.," adding, "I think Canada is also interested in exploring alternative solutions, and as always, we are open."

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)