Published on 27 August, updated on 28 August 2026
The ‘toilet roll war’ is nothing new; it first came to light back in 2025: Trump’s tariffs could lead to a toilet roll shortage in the United States. Are we returning to the days of Covid-19?
Now, however, it seems the situation is becoming much more serious. And the dispute is dragging in many sectors of the agri-food industry in both countries: the United States is facing a surge in toilet paper prices due to the trade war with Canada.
Although American toilet paper and tissues are often manufactured in the United States, they rely heavily on Canada – a country rich in timber – for their supply of raw materials.
Procter & Gamble, owner of the Charmin toilet paper brand, stated last year that it would have to raise prices due to the customs duties in force at the time.
According to the World Bank, in 2024 the United States imported $328 million worth of toilet paper from Canada, making it by far the largest exporter of this product to the United States. Retailers such as Costco source the majority of their paper products from this country.
The United States accounts for over 20 per cent of global toilet paper consumption, despite having only 4 per cent of the world’s population. The average Americanuses 141 rolls of toilet paper a year, ranking first in the world for toilet paper consumption, just ahead of the Germans, who use an average of 134 rolls a year…
But it is not just toilet paper that is causing concern for Americans and Canadians: the two economies are deeply intertwined. And everyone, on both sides of the border, is expecting a rise in inflation.
US tariffsare hitting Canadian spirits particularly hard, including the famous whisky brands Crown Royal and Canadian Club, which are currently subject to a 50 per cent tariff.
Although Canada has not introduced customs duties on American spirits, most Canadian provinces have introduced their own bans on the import of US spirits in response to previous tariffs on Canadian products.
Donald Trumphas used these provincial bans on American alcohol as part of hislegal justificationfor the new tariffs imposed on Canada.
Carney has asked provincial leaders to consider the possibility of putting American spirits back on sale, although, as Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houstontold CBC News: “Whether Nova Scotians or Canadians will actually buy them when they become available again is another matter entirely.”
Trump announces a new 50 per cent tariff on Canadian cars, lorries and steel
Trump also stated that his new tariffs are in retaliation for the tariffs imposed by Canadaon theUS dairyindustry. He hasintroduced a 50 per cent tariff on almost all Canadian dairy products, with the exception of Canadian cheese.
In response, Canada has imposed a 50 per cent tariff on US dairy products, along with a 25 per cent tariff on US cheeses.
Canada has also targeted the US fishing industry, imposing a 25 per cent tariff on American fish and seafood, including frozen lobster. The move prompted Republican Senator Susan Collins, who is fighting a tough re-election battle in Maine – the lobster capital – to describe Trump’s latest decision as “a mistake”.
A 25 per cent tariff on Canadian cars and componentsis set to hit the US automotive industry, which relies heavily on Canadian components for production. Trump has threatened todouble the tariff to 50 per cent if no agreement is reached by 1 January 2027…
Below: US alcohol imports into Canada have plummeted, and as far as beer is concerned, they are now virtually non-existent.
As things stand, it is unlikely that this trend will seriously damage the Canadian economy.
Frances Donald, chief economist at the Royal Bank of Canada, said that the latest round of tariffs affected around 5 per cent of trade with the United States, whilst over 80 per cent of exports remained tariff-free. “The level of the (most recent) tariffs is probably not enough to undermine Canada’s economic growth outlook,” said Donald, adding that trade uncertainty “has increased the likelihood” that the Bank of Canada will not raise interest rates this year.
But this offers no relief … to the other affected Canadian business owners, who are facing not only financial difficulties but also significant “emotional strain” (stress caused by confusion and uncertainty)
But Trump’s tariffs have also had unintended consequences. There has been a slight economic boost, as the wave of economic patriotism inspired by Trump has triggered a boom in domestic tourism and Canadians have been buying more local products…
Nadia Senchuk, of Leaning Post Wines, a winery located near Hamilton on Lake Ontario, stated that the producer had sold 3,000 extra cases over the past 18 months, after American wines were forced off Canadian shelves due to US tariffs…
According to a poll published on Sunday by the Angus Reid Institute, three-quarters of Canadians surveyed support the Prime Minister’s decision to walk away from the negotiations, whilst two-thirds believe that, despite the expected turbulence, Canada will emerge ‘stronger’…
Below: wine from British Columbia (Canada)
