ForexMedium9 September 2026
2 min read

Canadian Dollar Defies Trade War Escalation, Breaking Key Technical Support

Key Facts

1The US imposed 50% tariffs on some Canadian imports, and Canada retaliated with tariffs on $20 billion worth of US goods.
2President Trump announced new restrictions on Canadian dairy, motorcycles, and alcoholic beverages starting September 29.
3USDCAD is moving lower, breaking technical support levels despite trade tensions that typically favor the US dollar.

Amid escalating trade tensions between the North American neighbors, the USDCAD pair is exhibiting notable technical movement as it breaks through key support levels. This downward trend persists despite the United States imposing 50% tariffs on certain Canadian imports and Canada retaliating with tariffs on $20 billion worth of US goods. According to reports, this bearish momentum for the pair reflects a technical strengthening of the Canadian dollar that is currently overriding the fundamental concerns stemming from the breakdown of trade negotiations on August 21.

Trade pressures are intensifying following President Donald Trump's announcement of new restrictions set to begin on September 29, targeting Canadian dairy, motorcycles, and alcoholic beverages. Per market data, the USDCAD pair is currently testing a critical swing area between 1.3765 and 1.3778, levels that trace back to May. While trade tensions typically favor US dollar strength, the pair's failure to breach upper resistance levels has shifted momentum toward the downside.

With current price data unavailable for this session, traders are focused on whether sellers can maintain the price below the 1.3765 level to solidify bearish control. Looking at the economic calendar, data from September 3 showed Canada's Balance of Trade at 0.77 billion, missing the 3.6 billion forecast, which places higher significance on upcoming price action as a market indicator given the lack of major Canadian catalysts in the immediate days ahead.