Trump signs memorandum to identify and remove Canadian products from U.S. federal procurement | CBC News

Action followed a threat by Trump after Canada issued retaliatory tariffs

U.S. President ‌Donald Trump ​signed a presidential ​memorandum on ​Wednesday to ⁠identify ⁠Canadian-origin goods ‌in federal ⁠civil government procurement ‌and take steps ​to remove ⁠them, ⁠the ⁠White ⁠House ​said.

In the memo, Trump directs the U.S. Trade Representative and the Office of Management and Budget to "take steps" to identify items of Canadian origin that could be "removed or made non-available for purchase" from the federal government's procurement system.

The White House did not immediately respond to a CBC News query about what value of goods could be affected by the move.

Miller, president of Rideau Potomac Strategy Group, says Trump's memo appears to be a reaction to some Canadian provinces putting some limits on U.S. companies bidding on government contracts.

The memorandum also directs the U.S. trade representative to monitor Canada's treatment of U.S. origin goods in Canadian government procurement.

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The latest round of U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods took effect just after midnight Tuesday, adding 50 per cent levies to more than 100 products, including specific cheeses, motorboats, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and furniture.

The ongoing trade war ramped up in recent weeks after the U.S. and Canada failed to reach a trade agreement in August.

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