Canada-U.S. Trade Measures, Settlement Goods Restrictions and China-Qatar Talks

Canadian counter-tariffs covering C$27.6 billion in U.S. imports took effect on September 8. The measures apply rates of 15, 25 and 50 per cent to selected products and include sectors such as steel, dairy, appliances, agricultural equipment, pulp and paper and electronics.

On the same day, the White House issued several proclamations modifying the treatment of Canadian motor-vehicle, dairy and alcoholic-beverage products. Some Canadian products currently subject to additional duties are scheduled to move to import restrictions later in September, while other tariff scopes were also modified.

Prime Ministers Mark Carney and Andy Burnham and President Emmanuel Macron issued a joint statement on September 8 concerning the two-state solution and settlement expansion in the West Bank.

The three leaders said their governments would take steps to ban imports of goods from settlements and apply targeted measures against settlements and actors that facilitate or profit from them. They also said they intended to co-chair a meeting during the United Nations General Assembly later in September.

Executive Order 14427, issued on September 8, amended previous delegations of presidential authority under the Defense Production Act. It gives both the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Energy authority over forms of energy within their respective purviews, with each able to exercise delegated authority independently.

The order also directs certain disputes involving energy first to the National Energy Dominance Council, with matters involving national defence infrastructure or military operations also involving the National Security Council and Department of War.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks in Beijing on September 8 with Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani. China’s foreign ministry said the sides intended to expand cooperation in traditional and new energy, investment and high technology.

Qatar’s official account said the meeting also addressed regional developments and diplomatic efforts to reduce escalation. Sheikh Mohammed reiterated Qatar’s support for efforts aimed at ensuring the security and freedom of international navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.

The UAE foreign ministry issued a September 8 statement condemning attacks it attributed to the Houthi group against civilian and economic facilities in Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan and Najran in Saudi Arabia and against commercial vessels in the Red Sea.

The UAE said the incidents caused civilian injuries and threatened maritime navigation. The European Union issued a separate statement the same day condemning the reported attacks and calling for an end to attacks inside and outside Yemen, including against commercial shipping in the Red Sea.

President Lee Jae Myung began a state visit to France on September 8. The Élysée said the two countries intended to deepen their comprehensive strategic partnership and review cooperation launched during President Macron’s visit to Korea earlier in 2026.

The agenda covered security and defence, advanced technologies, energy and culture, alongside international issues including the Korean Peninsula, Ukraine and the Middle East. France described the relationship in terms of strategic autonomy and cooperation across the Indo-Pacific and emerging technologies.