Ottawa’s retaliatory tariffs on American goods took effect just after midnight EDT on Tuesday, in response to the 50 per cent tariffs Washington, DC imposed on Canada last month.
On Aug. 22, U.S. President Donald Trump imposed tariffs on nearly $28 billion worth of Canadian goods, from hockey sticks and cement to honey, after trade talks broke down.
Canada’s reciprocal tariffs target the same value in U.S. goods, all drawn from the list of products being tariffed by the United States. They include dairy products, plywood and sunscreen.
For businesses in the Battlefords, the latest round of tariffs could mean higher costs and changes in consumer behaviour.
Gregory Kwong, chief operating officer for the Battlefords & District Chamber of Commerce, said local industries most likely to be impacted include trades, agriculture, manufacturing and retail, including but not limited to appliances and furniture.
“Businesses are starting to see increased costs and we know consumers’ behavior is changing; example, shop Canadian,” he said. “Supply chain issues still exist post-COVID. These tariffs add another level of complexity.”
The latest tariff war began when negotiations to resolve some outstanding trade irritants on both sides of the border fell apart.
Kwong said the local chamber is in the early process of consulting and engaging with businesses in the community, while the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce oversees concerns and questions at the provincial level.
“The small, medium-sized enterprises can apply to the regional tariff response initiative being delivered by Prairie Economic Development Canada (PrairieCAN). The Canadian Chamber of Commerce indicates that the needs to focus on long-term pivots but we were pleased to see the government move at the speed of business to implement relief and support in response to tariffs.”
He said this can be done through equipping more businesses with the ability to diversify trading partners, sell more within Canada, and upscale their workers for the modern economy.
*With files from The Canadian Press
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