WASHINGTON

President Donald Trump is preparing to roll out a new rule that would require Canadians who stay in the US for over 30 days to register with federal authorities, according to a report published Tuesday.

Canadians who cross the border into the US by land have not typically had to register, but the rule can be unilaterally changed by the Department of Homeland Security secretary, according to ABC News, which reported on the forthcoming overhaul based on a notice that is slated to be published in the federal register Wednesday.

Registrations and finger printing for Canadians who stay in the US for over 30 days will begin to go into effect April 11. Those already in the country will need to fill out a new Form G-325R.

The action comes amid a widening trade war between the North American neighbors after Trump imposed tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum. The import duties set off a wide array of retaliatory measures from Ottawa, which have included a 25% tax on electricity exports to the US, as Trump doubled his tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum.

Markets have reeled in the wake of Trump's wider global tariff push as investors fear the president's policies could plunge the US into recession. The Dow has lost roughly 7.5% over the past month while the tech-heavy Nasdaq composite index has nosedived over 11.5%. ​​​​​​​