Several Ontario businesses are preparing for tariffs following unsuccessful trade negotiations between Canada and the U.S. on Friday. Despite efforts to reach an agreement, the White House implemented a 50 percent tariff on approximately $28 billion worth of Canadian goods, such as steel, aluminum, and auto exports.
Kimberly Turner-Briscoe, president of a steel fastener supplier and distributor in Scarborough, has faced challenges navigating the impact of the trade war initiated by Trump. She expressed disappointment over the tariffs, particularly Canada’s 25 percent sectional tariffs on fasteners, but supported the decision to reject an unfavorable deal.
Statistics Canada data reveals that the affected items constitute about nine percent of Ontario’s total exports to the U.S. in 2025.
Prime Minister Carney criticized the proposed terms by the U.S. as “uneconomic, unfair, and detrimental to Canada’s benefits.” In response, Canada plans to impose retaliatory tariffs across various sectors, including dairy, steel, paper, and electronics, after Labor Day.
Unifor national president Lana Payne voiced support for the government’s stance, emphasizing the need for unity in the face of ongoing challenges. Unifor, representing 320,000 workers, stands firm against excessive concessions demanded by the U.S.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford commended the decision to walk away from the unfavorable deal, urging provincial unity. He reassured Ontarians of the province’s resilience and commitment to supporting affected sectors.
Giles Gherson from the Toronto Region Board of Trade warned of the adverse impact of the tariffs on local jobs and investments, urging coordinated action from governments to mitigate the effects.
Turner-Briscoe highlighted the shift towards buying locally among Canadians, emphasizing the importance of reducing dependency on the U.S. Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow echoed this sentiment, advocating for local support to counter the tariffs’ effects.
Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown emphasized the importance of standing firm against unfavorable deals, especially in the face of potential job losses due to plant closures.
Experts, including Ian Lee from Carleton University and David Soberman from the University of Toronto, warned of the significant costs Canadians may face as a result of the trade war. They highlighted potential consequences such as higher prices, increased unemployment, and business closures.
Soberman expressed concerns about the impact of retaliatory tariffs on Canada, stressing the need for strategic negotiations to secure beneficial outcomes. He emphasized the importance of diversifying exports and returning to the negotiation table to address current challenges effectively.