Ongoing trade tensions between Canada and the United States have resulted in a series of tariffs affecting cross-border business. Most recently, the Government of Canada implemented a six-month relief from tariffs on certain goods imported from the U.S.
Businesses can request a tariff remission if:
- The goods are essential inputs that cannot be sourced domestically or reasonably from non-U.S. suppliers, or
- There are exceptional circumstances where tariffs would cause significant economic impact.
See a complete list of U.S. products subject to counter tariffs.
Chatham-Kent Economic Development & Tourism Services collaborates with all levels of government and industry organizations to help businesses navigate these changes and explore strategies for maintaining resilience. If you have questions or need support, please contact us at
ckeds@chatham-kent.ca.
Please note: Due to ongoing tariff updates, this webpage will be continuously monitored and updated as new information becomes available. For a timeline of events, the Financial Times has created a timeline tracking the trade dispute.
Latest News & Updates
Effective September 1 2025, Canada has removed all tariffs on goods from the United States that are covered by the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). Counter-tariffs on steel, aluminum and autos still remain.
Effective August 1 2025, the U.S. government has imposed an increased 35% tariff on Canadian goods currently tariffed at 25% not covered by the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).
As of May 1 2025, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection confirmed that automobile parts meeting Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) rules of origin are exempt from these tariffs.
New Initiative to help accelerate business opportunities in Canada's defence sector supply chains | Government of Canada – December 5, 2025
Prime Minister Carney announces new measures to protect and transform Canada's steel and lumber industries | Government of Canada – Nov 26, 2025
Ontario government to introduce 'Buy Ontario' legislation | CTV News – November 20, 2025
Trump drops tariffs on beef, coffee, tropical fruits amid consumer concerns - National | Globalnews.ca | Global News - Nov 14, 2025
Trump Announces Additional 10 Per-Cent Tariff on Canada Over Ontario Ad | CTV News - October 26, 2025
Canada offers tariff relief to some steel, aluminum products from U.S., China | CTV News – October 20, 2025
Trump imposes 10% tariff on imported lumber and 25% on kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities and furniture | CBC News – September 30, 2025
Prime Minister Carney Launches New Measures to Protect, Build, and Transform Canadian Strategic Industries (New Canadian Buying Policy & New Strategic Response Fund) | Government of Canada — September 5, 2025
Southern Ontario Businesses Facing Trade Challenges Can Now Apply for Funding | Government of Canada - August 26, 2025
Canada removing retaliatory tariffs on CUSMA-compliant U.S. goods | CBC News – August 22, 2025
Province launching Protect Ontario Financing Program to Support Sectors Impacted by U.S. Tariffs | Province of Ontario - August 13, 2025
U.S. President Donald Trump Increases Tariffs on Canada to 35% | CTV News – July 31, 2025
Prime Minister Carney Announces New Measures to Protect and Strengthen Canada's Steel Industry | Government of Canada - July 16, 2025
CUSMA-Compliant Goods Exempt from Trump's 35% Tariff Threat on Canada | CBC News - July 11, 2025
Ontario Investing $1.3 Billion to Protect Manufacturing Workers and Jobs | Ontario Newsroom - May 5, 2025
Ontario has Announced the New $50 Million Ontario Together Trade Fund | Ontario Newsroom - April 16, 2025
Ontario Government is Introducing the Protect Ontario Through Free Trade Within Canada Act to Unlock Free Trade Labour Mobility Within Canada | Ontario Newsroom - April 16, 2025
Canada Announces New Support for Canadian Businesses Affected by U.S. Tariffs | Canada.ca - April 15, 2025
Ontario Taking Action to Protect Workers amid Economic Uncertainty | Ontario Newsroom - April 7, 2025
The Government of Canada Introduces New Employment Insurance Measures to Support Canadian Workers Impacted by Foreign Tariffs - March 24, 2025
Ontario Investing $1 Billion in Skills Development Fund to Protect Workers | Ontario Newsroom - January 27, 2025
Live Information Sessions
January 20, 2026, 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. – Cross-Cultural Communications in a Global Network | CME
February 4, 2026, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – New Exporters to Border States (NEBS) | MEDJCT
February 17, 2026, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – Beyond Hybrid: Talent Retention, Cost Reduction & Productivity in Manufacturing | CME
Trade Support Missions
January 6 - 9, 2026 — Ontario Tech Mission to CES 2026 | MEDJCT
January 12 – 14, 2026 – Ontario Mission to the Biotech Showcase 2026 | MEDJCT
January 26 – 30, 2026 – Gulfood Annual Food and Hospitality Trade Show | MEDJCT
January 27 – 30, 2026 - Ontario Cleantech Trade Mission to India Energy Week 2026 | MEDJCT
February 3 – 6, 2026 – Ontario Aerospace Export Mission to Singapore Airshow 2026 | MEDJCT
February 3 – 6, 2026 – Ontario Export Business Mission to Expomanufactura 2026 | MEDJCT
February 8 – 12, 2026 – Ontario Defence and Aerospace Mission to World Defence Show 2026 | MEDJCT
February 8 – 13, 2026 – Ontario Life Sciences Mission to Medtech and Biotech Companies to Brazil 2026 | MEDJCT
February 10 – 12, 2026 – Combat Engineer and Logistics | Trade Commissioner Service
February 10 - 13, 2026 — Ontario AI Export Business Mission to World AI Cannes Festival | Ontario Trade and Investment Offices (TIO's) in Europe and Canadian Trade Commissioner Service (TCS)
March 10 – 14, 2026 – AAHAR 2026: International Food and Hospitality Fair | Trade Commissioner Service
March 17 – 19, 2026 – Aerospace and Defence Supplier Summit (ADSS) | Trade Commissioner Service
Tourism
Staycation website itineraries can be found online. This is a great way to continue to promote and encourage travel within Chatham-Kent to support local tourism businesses, accommodations and attractions.
Chatham-Kent is one-of-a-kind and that means we offer one-of-a-kind tourism experiences, attractions and opportunities. If you have any questions about this campaign, please email: cktourism@chatham-kent.ca
The Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO) has the latest efforts the province is doing when it comes to tourism and tariffs.
TIAO conducted a province-wide survey in September 2025 to evaluate how tariffs and the Canada–U.S. trade dispute shaped tourism business performance during the 2025 summer season. The survey captured responses from operators across all regions, sectors, and business sizes, exploring changes in visitation, spending, and confidence year-over-year for the months of June, July, and August. View the entire document online.
Highlights
Leisure Visitor Volumes (Travel To Ontario year-over-year):
- From Ontario: 44% higher, 20% lower
- From Canada (outside Ontario): 35% higher, 17% lower
- From U.S.: 26% higher, 26% lower
- From Overseas: 38% higher, 17% lower
Notes: Survey respondents noted that domestic visitation within Ontario saw their strongest gains, followed by growth from other Canadian markets. However, approximately one fifth of operators still reported declines in these same categories, indicating uneven regional recovery. U.S. visitation remained flat overall, though these results were stronger than expected given pre-season forecasts.
Business Costs and Adaptations
- 86% of respondents reported increased operating costs linked to tariffs and counter-tariffs.
- 32% cited reduced product availability and customs-related delays.
Key Business Adaptations
- 50% sought new suppliers to replace U.S. sources
- 48% increased domestic and Canadian-made product sourcing
- 43% Launched new marketing campaigns to reach different customer demographics
- 32% increased prices
- 24% Changed or diversified offerings
- 21% Reduced expenses
- 19% Paused or cancelled planned investments
