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About the tariffs
On March 4, 2025, 25% tariffs on many Canadian goods exported to the United States were put in place. As this continues to develop, you can find updates on the status of tariffs against Canada and the federal response here:
- Kitchener launches Support Local campaign in response to U.S. tariffs (March 17, 2025)
- Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic responds to U.S. tariffs (March 5, 2025)
- News: Department of Finance Canada
- List of products from the United States subject to 25% tariffs
Council resolution
To navigate the uncertain trade landscape of the U.S. tariffs, Kitchener’s Mayor and Council approved a resolution to activate a City of Kitchener response with the following key deliverables:
- Minimize the impact of tariffs and countermeasure tariffs on the City of Kitchener
- Implement a shared action plan to support our local economy
- Implement a Buy Canadian, Buy Local Campaign to support local businesses
- Advocate in support of trade, tariffs and stimulus funding initiatives
This resolution was approved at a Special Council Meeting on February 10, 2025. See the meeting agenda or recording for the full motion.
Key facts
- Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo (KCW) is ranked as the fourth most vulnerable Canadian city to the proposed U.S. tariffs, according to a recent study on exports by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce.
- $17.8 billion or 46.5 per cent of KCW gross domestic product (GDP) is generated from exports to the U.S.
- KCW's top 30 highest-ranking export industries account for 81,500 jobs.
- Approximately 50 per cent of Canada-U.S. trade moves through the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence region, which amounts to an $8 trillion economy, larger than most economies in the world.
Resources for businesses
Support for your business
The City of Kitchener is here to help businesses small and large to provide support, connect you with resources and advocate for responsive programs in our community.
You can connect with us to schedule a business consultation by email
Other organizations have also announced supports for businesses to help navigate the tariffs:
- Government of Canada: process for requesting remission of tariffs that apply on certain goods from the U.S.
- Export Development Canada: $5 billion over 2 years for exporters to find new markets outside the U.S.
- Business Development Bank of Canada: $500 million low-interest rate loan program to assist businesses directly impacted by tariffs
- Farm Credit Canada: $1 billion to support the agricultural sector
Resources
Find resources to support your business:
- Waterloo Region Small Business Centre
- Government of Canada International Trade and Finance Policy
- Export Development Canada
- Business Development Bank Canada
- Canada trade tariffs, sanctions, export and import controls
- Communitech
- Federation of Canadian Municipalities
Industry associations
These associations may represent your business and will be helpful for evolving advocacy and impacts to your industry:
- Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium
- Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters
- Food and Beverage Ontario
- Ontario Federation of Agriculture
- Canadian Federation of Independent Business
- Automotive Industries Association of Canada
- Restaurants Canada
- Ontario Restaurant Hotel & Motel Association (ORHMA)
- Tourism Industry Association of Ontario
- Trillium Network for Advanced Manufacturing’s Manufacturing Ecosystem Map
- Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association (APMA)
- Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers' Association
Resources for residents
These resources can help you discover and explore local, Ontario-based or Canadian businesses: