Canadian Business Resilience: A Message from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce on the Recently Announced Tariffs

With the current state of Canada-U.S. trade talks and the potential implications, we find ourselves in new and uncharted territory in the trade relationship and as a country overall. We need to be ready to lead as a strong, united front through a time of crisis and potential transformation.

As I shared in my most recent statement, “Canadian businesses have shown remarkable resilience under immense pressure, and they will not relent now. This will get tougher, but we know Canada can navigate it, if we’re united. The reason our economy has been so strong is in no small part because of the choices businesses have made in the last year and a half. As Canada’s largest business association, we will be mobilizing our network of businesses in all regions and all sectors to brace for impact and make the best of a bad situation.”

Our Prime Minister shared details regarding the breakdown of talks in the last day of negotiations. While we anticipate an eventual path that concludes in a review of CUSMA and constructive discussions on our broader shared interests, it is not in our immediate interest to return to the bargaining table. As such, we turn our focus and attention to our response, which most importantly includes proactive and protective measures for our businesses, workers and families.

The Prime Minister’s Canada-U.S. Economic Relations Advisory Committee was convened over the weekend and we also met with Minister Joly to discuss our next steps. Our Chamber Network is being asked to play an important role in ensuring the supports offered reach the businesses that need it. We have done this before and proven, such as during the pandemic, that we are not only highly capable but well situated as a national network of chambers of commerce and boards of trade to deliver high value in a time like this.

More details will be shared throughout the week. In the meantime, if you have immediate impacts on businesses or have questions and comments you would like to share: