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Navigating U.S. Tariffs: Support for Canadian SMEs

Resources and expert guidance to help your business navigate the new U.S. tariffs and remain competitive.
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On February 1, 2025, the United States announced new tariffs on Canadian imports – 25% on Canadian goods and 10% on energy exports. These measures, originally set to take effect on February 4, 2025, have been delayed by at least 30 days. We, along with the Canadian business community hope that this delay will turn into a decision to close the door to new trade barriers, but businesses remain rightfully concerned and must plan for the significant implications that tariffs would create.

To help businesses, particularly SMEs (small and medium sized enterprises) plan for these changes, we’ve compiled key resources, expert insights, and practical tools to mitigate the impact and explore strategic opportunities.

This page will be updated regularly with new information and programming as it becomes available.

Key Resources

List of products from the U.S. that would be subject to 25% tariffs

  • The webpage includes a detailed list of U.S. imports that may be impacted, organized by Harmonized System (HS) codes, aligning with Canada’s Customs Tariff Schedule to specify which products will be subject to the new 25% tariff measures.

Canada Tariff Finder

  • A free tool that allows businesses to quickly look up tariff rates for specific products and countries where Canada has a Free Trade Agreement. Users can access tariff information even without an HS code, making it easier to estimate costs for international trade.

Search by product (HS code)

  • A searchable database that helps businesses find trade data by product using the Harmonized System (HS) code. It provides insights into import/export trends, key markets, and trade flows to support informed decision-making.

Prepare your SME with help from WTC-T

How are the Tariffs impacting your business? Take our survey!

The World Trade Centre Toronto is gathering insights from business leaders to better understand the challenges ahead. Your feedback will help inform our advocacy efforts and provide valuable insights to policymakers and industry partners.

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Partner Resources

RBC Global Connect Platform: Trade Resources

  • Explore RBC’s trade solutions, insights, and financial tools to support businesses navigating international trade challenges. This free online resource offers access to over 190 country profiles, tools, and calculators to assist businesses in expanding globally.

EDC: U.S. market intelligence

  • Access comprehensive insights into the U.S. market, including economic trends, regulatory changes, and sector-specific opportunities. This information helps Canadian businesses navigate the complexities of exporting to the U.S. 

Ontario Trade Calendar

  • Stay informed about upcoming international trade events, missions, and networking opportunities hosted by the Government of Ontario to support exporters.

BDC: Resources for Canadian businesses facing U.S. tariffs

  • Access valuable guidance for businesses affected by U.S. tariffs, including a cash flow calculator to assess financial impacts.

World Trade Centre Toronto Solutions

 We provide expert consulting services to help businesses diversify their export strategies. Our offerings include export readiness assessments, market research, export plan development, and guidance on CanExport Grant applications. Our team of Certified International Trade Professionals (CITP) is here to support you at every stage of your international expansion.

For personalized assistance, contact us at wtc@bot.com.