[Getty Images Bank]
[Getty Images Bank]

A full-blown trade war between the United States and Canada is raising fears of a sharp rise in toilet paper prices.

Canada announced it will impose tariffs of 25 to 50 percent on American toilet paper and facial tissue base paper starting Sept. 8, according to the Guardian and other foreign media Thursday (local time). The move is retaliation for US tariffs of 50 percent on Canadian paper products.

Most toilet paper sold in the United States is manufactured domestically, but production relies heavily on Canadian timber. World Bank data show the US imported $328 million worth of toilet paper from Canada in 2024, making Canada the top supplier to the American market.

Americans use an average of 141 rolls of toilet paper per person each year — the highest in the world — followed by Germany at 134 rolls.

The Canadian government announced Tuesday it would impose tariffs of 15 to 50 percent on more than 700 American products worth 27.6 billion Canadian dollars (about $20 billion). Steel and aluminum will face a 50 percent tariff, double the previous rate, with dairy products, seafood, home appliances, lumber and paper, and clothing also included.

Earlier, the US imposed 50 percent tariffs on roughly $20 billion worth of Canadian goods, including wine, cement, furniture and hockey equipment.

US President Donald Trump cited Canada's ban on American alcohol sales in most of its provinces as the legal basis for the tariffs. Canada has imposed tariffs of 50 percent on American dairy products, 25 percent on cheese, and 25 percent on seafood including frozen lobster.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said he could not "control the storm blowing in from Washington" and signaled a push to diversify trade partners. US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said there was "absolutely no chance" American consumers would be affected and ruled out any further negotiations.


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