Tariff Resources & Updates

TeamSTC together with our regional partners are monitoring the current situation with potential tariffs on Canadian goods in the United States and its impact on local businesses.

Please follow this page for the latest updates as the situation develops as well as resources to learn more about tariffs, how they may impact your business, as well as how we can navigate the challenges ahead:

UPDATES:

Ontario Chamber of Commerce conducting a business survey on impact of tariffs, click here to participate - February 11

President Trump signs executive order imposing 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum - February 11

United States pauses tariffs on Canadian goods for one month -February 3

TeamSTC is here to help! Please contact our team of experts if you have any specific questions regarding tariffs and how our team can help you by emailing us at tariffs@stcatharines.ca

What are tariffs and how can they impact your business? 

For an introduction to tariffs and how they work, please read this recent Bank of Canada  report on tariffs.

Government of Canada Response

Government of Canada announces next steps in its response plan to unjustified U.S. tariffs

List of products from the United States subject to 25 per cent tariffs effective February 4, 2025

United States Government Executive Order

Imposing Duties to Address the Flow of Illicit Drugs Across our Northern Border

Government Support

At all levels, government agencies are available to support businesses engaged in exporting. Various initiatives, including trade missions, market intelligence, contacts, and funding, help businesses diversify their trade and grow in new markets

Key partners include:

Niagara Economic Development

Global Affairs Canada

Trade Commissioner Service

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

Ministry of Economic Development Job Creation and Trade

Export Development Canada (EDC)

Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC)

Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) Benefits

Niagara Region has been designated a Foreign Trade Zone point for over a decade, offering Niagara businesses access to programs that save working capital and time.

Exporting businesses can benefit from:

Duties Relief Program

Drawback Program

Custom Bonded Warehouse Program

Export Distribution Centre Program

Exporters of Processing Services Program


Find out more about the Trade Accelerator Program (TAP), helping businesses accelerate global growth through free workshops on market insights, marketing, finance, funding, and legal considerations.


Trade Diversification

In 2023, the US market accounted for $6 billion (72%) of total exports from Niagara businesses and $2 billion (54%) of total imports to Niagara businesses. Diversifying markets is a key strategy to mitigate trade disruptions. Niagara businesses can leverage Canada’s 14 trade agreements with 51 countries, including agreements with major trading partners such as:

Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP): A free trade agreement with 10 Indo-Pacific countries.

Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA): Provides Canadian businesses access to growth opportunities in the European Union.

Global Affairs Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy aims to expand trade and investment in the fastest-growing region, which represents over 4 billion people and $47.2 trillion in economic activity.