Here at the Grimsby Chamber, we have been following developments and connecting with our chamber colleagues across the province and country, coordinating with the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce (CCC).
The impending imposition of 25% across-the-board tariffs on Canadian imports to the United States is extremely disappointing and potentially devastatingly disruptive to businesses and consumers on both sides of the border. While we remain united as Team Canada 🇨🇦, we encourage all levels of government to continue to engage respectfully with U.S. lawmakers at both state and federal levels.
Here’s what we know right now:
- 25% tariffs on all Canadian goods (10% on energy) – scheduled to come into effect at 12:01 AM tomorrow
- Canada announces $155B tariff package in response to unjustified U.S. tariffs – Canada.ca
- List of products from the United States subject to 25 per cent tariffs effective February 4, 2025 – Canada.ca
- A statement from the US Chamber of Commerce who are working with the U.S. administration to understand the negative impacts of these tariffs.
The first phase of the Canadian Government’s response will include tariffs on $30 billion in goods imported from the U.S., effective February 4, 2025, when the U.S. tariffs are applied (list above). The list includes products such as orange juice, peanut butter, wine, spirits, beer, coffee, appliances, apparel, footwear, motorcycles, cosmetics, and pulp and paper.
It was stated the government intends to impose tariffs on an additional list of imported U.S. goods worth $125 billion. A full list of these goods will be made available for a 21-day public comment period prior to implementation, and will include products such as passenger vehicles and trucks, including electric vehicles, steel and aluminum products, certain fruits and vegetables, aerospace products, beef, pork, dairy, trucks and buses, recreational vehicles, and recreational boats.
Do you have questions about the tariffs? Are there resources that would be helpful? Reach out – if we can’t find the answer, we’ll continue taking your concerns, feedback, and the impacts of impending tariffs on your business to our umbrella organizations at the OCC and CCC levels.
“Right now, job number one for Canada is providing security to the Canadian families, communities and businesses that are rightly scared by the consequences of President Trump’s self-defeating measures.
Until we can make President Trump and U.S. decision makers understand the enormity of the Canada-U.S. relationship, Canada needs to focus on what we can control here at home to build a more resilient economy and restore as much stability to Canadians as possible. If we can’t trade south, let’s diversify our trading partners and dismantle unnecessary internal trade barriers to keep goods and services flowing north, east, and west. A strong, united, and competitive Canadian economy will thrive no matter what gets thrown our way.” – Candace Lang, President & CEO, Canadian Chamber of Commerce
We remain committed to supporting our local businesses and will update you as we get more concrete information on developments, as well as Canadian supports and resources for business communities. We encourage every business and organization to support local, and to support one another.
A personal note from Rebecca:
“Uncertain times” don’t begin to describe the upheaval and extreme unease we’re all feeling right now. I urge each of you to support each other and our local businesses. Remember, too, to take a few minutes to take care of yourself, to give yourself a break from the news and worry, take a walk, take a breath, take a minute to clear your head. It doesn’t make any of it stop or go away, but it ensures you have a few minutes to put yourself first, to regroup, to consider hard decisions, and to remember that you are not alone.
Sincerely,
Grimsby Chamber team