Over the weekend, President Donald Trump announced a set of new tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico. Under the proposal, goods entering the U.S. from Canada would be hit with a 25% tariff, while that number drops to 10% for energy resources crossing the border.
The tariffs were expected to go into effect Feb. 4, before they were delayed by 30 days following discussions between the countries in which Canada and Mexico agreed to increase border security efforts.
Due to Washington’s proximity to the northern border, it should come as no surprise that Canada is the state’s top trading partner. In 2023 alone, Washington imported $19.9 billion worth of goods from its neighbor to the north, while sending $9.4 billion worth of goods back the other way, according to data sent to McClatchy by the Washington State Department of Commerce.
Washington traded $13 billion more with Canada than any they did with any other country in that time period. If tariffs do take effect, here are the items that would be most affected in Washington.
Impact of trade on WA economy
In total, the state traded $127 billion worth of imported and exported goods in 2023, according to the office of Senator Maria Cantwell, with two in every five jobs in the state directly tied to trade. With how heavily Washington’s economy relies on trade, Joe Nguyen, director of the Department of Commerce, expects the tariffs to have a significant impact.
“Trade is vital to Washington’s economy, with a significant number of jobs across multiple industry sectors directly or indirectly tied to it,” Nguyen said in a statement. “Canada is our state’s largest trading partner, and Mexico ranks fifth. Maintaining strong business relationships with these and other global partners is essential for our supply chain and exports.”
Fuel, lumber are top WA imports
According to the state’s Department of Commerce, the leading imports to Washington from Canada are mineral fuels and oil. The category typically accounts for over half of all imports to the state from Canada. In 2023, Washington imported over $11 billion of mineral fuels and oils. The Department of Commerce’s 2024 data only runs through November, but includes $8.9 billion worth of fuel and oil imports.
Wood made for the second-largest import at $1.1 billion in 2023 and $1.0 billion through November 2024. Those numbers have dropped significantly in recent years from $1.8 billion in 2021 and $1.5 billion in 2022.
Washington’s third-largest category of imports from Canada in recent years were nuclear reactors, boilers or related parts. Those accounted for $528 million in trade in 2023, and $456 million through November of 2024. Vegetable and animal fats weren’t far behind, accounting for $486 million in 2023 and $311 million through the following November. The aircraft and spacecraft category, accounted for $350 million in imports in 2023, the fifth highest total, and $255 million through November.
Live animals, while accounting for just $323 million of imports in 2023, made up $485 million through November 2024, the third-most of any category.
Other common WA imports from Canada
Here are the next-most commonly imported goods from Canada:
- Plastics: $267 million in 2023, $244 million through November 2024
- Electrical machinery, including television and sound equipment: $265 million in 2023, $195 million through November 2024
- Iron and steel: $235 million in 2023, $169 million through November 2024
- Aluminum: $224 million in 2023, $191 million through November 2024
- Vehicles: $220 million in 2023, $193 million in 2024
- Optical instruments, including photographic, cinematographic, measuring and surgical equipment: $197 million in 2023, $199 million through November 2024
- Furniture: $165 million in 2023, $140 million through November 2024
- Cereals, flours, starches and milk: $160 million in 2023, $152 million through November 2024
Top agricultural imports
Sen. Cantwell’s office published additional numbers on specific agricultural products imported from Canada.
According to the data, Washington top agricultural import from Canada was live bovines, at $305 million in 2023. Tallow was the second-largest agricultural import at $244 million, followed by canola oil at $224 million.
Baked goods accounted for $218 million worth of imports from Canada in 2023, while prepared and preserved meats rounded out the top five at $118 million.