Huron Chamber of Commerce responds to Trump’s trade war

In response to President Trump’s recent decision to impose a 25 per cent tariff on Canadian imports, the Huron Chamber of Commerce is deeply concerned.

The Chamber released a response to this action, stating that it poses significant challenges for businesses and communities within Huron County and across Canada.

According to the Chamber, Canada has long been a reliable and integral trading partner to the United States, with goods worth $3.6 billion crossing the border daily.

“Our economies are deeply intertwined, with supply chains that have been built over decades to benefit consumers and businesses on both sides of the border,” wrote the Chamber.

“Disrupting this relationship through tariffs will inevitably lead to increased costs for families, communities, and enterprises.”

The increased costs and potential barriers to the U.S. market threaten jobs and the economic well-being of the local economy and community.

“We stand in solidarity with the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, and the Canadian Federation of Independent Business in advocating for the removal of these tariffs,” added the Chamber in a press release from February 3.

“We urge the Canadian government to take decisive action to protect our national interests and to support affected businesses and workers.”

While ‘buying Canadian’ is an applauded effort to stand-up for Canada, the Chamber reiterates that local franchisees of American-owned companies are Canadian small business owners, employing hundreds of local workers.

Discouraging the purchase of U.S. goods or the trade with U.S. companies may have consequences for local businesses and their employees.

“In light of these external challenges, it is imperative that we strengthen our internal economy,” stressed the Huron Chamber.

This could include dismantling interprovincial trade barriers, which would spur economic growth and bolster Canada’s resilience to external threats.

The Ontario Chamber has called on the country’s premiers to take action to remove these barriers, emphasising that eliminating them could add as much as $200 billion to Canada’s economy.

“We urge all levels of government to prioritize this initiative to help offset the negative impact of these international tariffs,” added the Huron Chamber.

“Together, we can navigate these challenges and emerge stronger.”

To help the Huron Chamber better understand the local impacts of the planned tariffs, a confidential survey is offered online.

Visit https://huronchamber.ca for more information.