Some Ontario businesses are preparing for tariffs but expressing determination following unsuccessful trade negotiations between Canada and the U.S. on Friday night. The White House proceeded with imposing a 50% tariff on approximately $28 billion worth of Canadian goods, including steel, aluminum, and auto exports.
Kimberly Turner-Briscoe, president of a steel fastener supplier in Scarborough, has faced challenges navigating the impact of the trade war, leading to tough decisions such as shifting business focus away from the U.S. and staff layoffs. Despite her disappointment with the tariffs, particularly Canada’s 25% sectional tariffs on fasteners, Turner-Briscoe commended negotiators for rejecting an unfavorable deal.
The affected items make up around nine percent of Ontario’s total exports to the U.S. as per Statistics Canada. Prime Minister Carney criticized the U.S.’s proposed terms as economically unsound and unfair, prompting Canada to announce plans for retaliatory tariffs across various sectors post-Labour Day.
Unifor’s national president, Lana Payne, supported the government’s stance despite the hardships faced by Canadian workers due to tariffs. Payne emphasized the need for unity and strategic pushback against the U.S.’s demands, which led to negotiators walking away from the table.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford commended the decision to reject the deal, emphasizing the need for provincial solidarity. He assured Ontarians of the province’s resilience amid the challenges and pledged support for affected workers. Giles Gherson of the Toronto Region Board of Trade warned of job losses and urged coordinated action against the tariffs to protect local economies.
Turner-Briscoe observed a shift towards local buying habits among Canadians, emphasizing the importance of reducing dependence on the U.S. Mayor Olivia Chow echoed this sentiment, promoting local support to counter the impact of tariffs. Mayor Patrick Brown emphasized the significance of standing firm against unfavorable deals, citing recent job losses in Brampton due to plant closures.
Experts warned of the significant costs that the Canada-U.S. trade war could impose on Canadians, including higher prices, unemployment, and business closures. They highlighted the need for strategic negotiations to alleviate the economic strain caused by the tariffs.