US trade wars: Canada imposes retaliatory tariffs as cosmetics firms face upheaval via Personal Care Insights

Sabine Waldeck

11 Mar 2025

 

Canada has applied 25% tariffs to a list of goods worth CA$30 billion (US$20.8 billion), including cosmetics, “in response to unjustified US tariffs.” The move coincides with the appointment of Canada’s new prime minister, Mark Carney, who has vowed to win the trade war with the US and spent a significant portion of his acceptance speech addressing the issue.

The back-and-forth tariffs leave Canadian and US cosmetics companies confused about how to proceed with their business operations.

Elizabeth Lista, co-founder of Miracle 10, a Canadian skin care brand, told Bloomberg she is unsure how the company will source raw materials for its products. Lista calls the tariff war a “wait-and-see situation.”

The US imposed a 25% tariff on Canadian goods last Tuesday but, days later, rescinded the inclusion of some goods compliant with an existing trade agreement. Today, Donald Trump has announced a doubling of tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from Canada, signaling that the trade war will continue to escalate.

 

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