Ontario Expands Tariff Support as U.S. Bans and Duties Take Effect
Premier Doug Ford announced that Ontario will expand eligibility for its tariff support programs to include businesses affected by new U.S. tariffs and import bans, which are set to take effect on Tuesday.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford has announced an expansion of eligibility for provincial tariff support programs to include businesses impacted by new U.S. tariffs and import bans. The measures come in response to actions taken by U.S. President Donald Trump, who announced a ban on imports of certain Canadian goods, including alcohol, motorcycles, some dairy products such as whey and cheese, and molasses.
Additional 50 per cent tariffs on goods including certain steel and aluminum products, some dairy and specialty cheese products, mattresses, furniture, and paper products are also set to take effect on Tuesday. These developments follow the implementation of Canadian counter-tariffs on $28-billion worth of U.S. imports.
Ford stated that Prime Minister Mark Carney was right to respond with dollar-for-dollar tariffs to demonstrate that Canada will stand up for itself. To assist local businesses, the province is leveraging existing financial tools. The Protect Ontario Financing Program provides loans for payroll, lease, and utility payments, while the Ontario Together Trade Fund offers grants or loans to small- and medium-sized businesses to help reduce reliance on American supply chains.
The Toronto Region Board of Trade supported Ottawa’s strategy but highlighted the severe impact on Ontario’s industrial sectors. Giles Gherson, president and CEO of the board, noted that Ontario is the country's economic flywheel and is currently in the crosshairs, with businesses particularly hit in industrial sectors core to the Toronto region. The long-standing trade relationship between Canada and the United States means that these restrictions have disrupted cross-border product supply chains.