Fans of peanut butter or jams and jellies other than strawberry can let out a sigh of relief.
Those products are among the ones that have been removed from the final list of retaliatory tariffs targeting American-made goods that are set to go into effect this weekend, along with prepared mustard, beer kegs, and outboard motorboats.
READ MORE: Boycotting U.S. products? Here’s how to buy Canadian during a trade war
Speaking just moments ago in Hamilton at the Stelco steel factory, Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland said the government had finalized the list of American goods targeted by the retaliatory tariffs, based on consultations with Canadians and industry over recent weeks, and has made a couple of changes.
WATCH: Canada ready to roll on retaliatory tariffs on U.S. products
Tariffs on dozens of types of steel products will remain at the 25 per cent proposed on the preliminary list, while those on aluminum and other products will remain at 10 per cent.
Strawberry jam remains on the list of 79 items other than steel and aluminum set to be hit with a 10 per cent tariff starting July 1.
The original list, worth a total of $16.6 billion, targeted everything from whiskey, washing machines, steel and aluminum to orange juice, frozen pizza, beer, manicure products, boats, ketchup, coffee, nut butters and jams.
Apart from the exempted items, the rest of the list and its value remain the same, Freeland said, and the government is prepared to keep the tariffs in place until U.S. President Donald Trump removes the tariffs of 25 per cent and 10 per cent he placed on Canadian steel and aluminum last month.
Items that remain on the list to be hit with tariffs include yogurt, coffee, licorice, chocolate, prepared meals including pizza and quiche, cucumbers, gherkins, soya sauce, ketchup, mayonnaise, flavoured water, whiskies, manicure and pedicure products, shaving products, dish detergent, candles, glue and various types of herbicides, insecticides and fungicides.
WATCH: Ketchup, lawn mowers and playing cards slapped with 10 per cent duties
Also set to be hit with tariffs are plastic bags, toilet paper, serviettes, postcards, cast iron grills, combined fridge-freezers, water heaters, dish washers, household washers and dryers, lawnmowers, inflatable and sailboats, motorboats without outboard motors, wood-framed household furniture, mattresses, sleeping bags, pillows and bedding, playing cards and both ballpoint and felt-tipped pens.
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“Countless Canadians of many diverse political points of view agree with this approach,” Freeland said.
“We will maintain the firm resolve to do so.”
Freeland also noted she and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer have already spoken six times this week about the issue and will continue to do so with the aim of getting the tariffs removed permanently.
READ MORE: Canada preparing ‘detailed’ response to potential Trump auto tariffs: Freeland
Innovation Minister Navdeep Bains also announced an aid package worth $2 billion for the steel and aluminum industries.
That funding will come in the form of $250 million for a strategic innovation fund to support the steel and aluminum industries as well as roughly $1 billion in funding through Business Development Bank of Canada and Export Development Canada.
Employment Minister Patty Hajdu also announced temporary changes to employment insurance rules to allow workers in those industries whose hours are cut back due to the effects of the tariffs to continue to qualify for benefits.
She also indicated the government is open to considering further support actions, if needed.
“If, going forward, more support is needed, we’ll be there,” she said.
Hamilton Mayor Fred Eisenberger reacted to the tariffs shortly after, applauding the government and saying his city “enthusiastically endorses” the tariffs.
“We like the United States. They are our neighbours, allies, friends and business partners,” he said.
“Over the past weeks numerous American business and civic leaders have joined us in speaking out against trade barriers and their harmful impacts on our economies and communities. We understand, and history has shown, that global trade and collaboration makes us stronger and more prosperous. Our City has weathered challenging times before. Together, with the support and backing of our federal and provincial partners I believe we will come through this tariff dispute as well.”
On May 31, Trump announced he would not extend temporary exemptions granted to Canada, the European Union and Mexico from the tariffs.
They impose a levy of 25 per cent on steel and 10 per cent on aluminum.
Both the European Union and Mexico immediately imposed their own tariffs, targeting goods made in regions of the U.S. where Trump support is strong.
WATCH BELOW: Freeland vows ‘equally clear and firm’ response to Trump auto tariffs
Freeland, however, announced the preliminary list of more than 140 American goods and then said they would not go into effect until July 1.
Trump has warned that retaliatory tariffs by Canada could be met by a further round of tariffs on auto parts.
Freeland responded by telling a committee earlier this month that if Trump imposes further tariffs on auto parts, Canada’s response will be robust.
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