Tariff Support

Updates

The United States administration announced a series of tariffs on Canadian Imports.

On March 4, 2025, U.S. tariffs of 25 per cent on Canadian goods and 10 per cent on energy and potash exports from Canada to the U.S. came into effect. CUSMA compliant goods are exempt from these tariffs.
On March 12, the U.S. imposed tariffs of 25 per cent on Canadian steel and aluminum products.
On April 3, U.S. tariffs of 25 per cent on Canadian automobiles came into effect.
On June 4, tariffs on steel and aluminum (and derivatives) from all countries, including Canada, were increased to 50 per cent.
On August 1, the U.S. raised tariffs on non-CUSMA/USMCA compliant Canadian goods to 35 per cent. Approximately 90% of Canadian goods remain exempt if they satisfy the CUSMA origin criteria.
On August 29, the U.S. suspended the duty-free de minimis exception from duties and taxes for commercial shipments valued at US $800 or less from Canada and all other trading partners. Shipments from Canada that previously entered the U.S. duty-free under the de minimis exception may be able to avoid paying the tariffs if they are CUSMA complaint.

The Prime Minister announced the following counter measures:

On March 4, 2025, imposing tariffs of 25 per cent on a valued $30 billion in goods imported from the U.S.
On March 13, imposing 25 per cent reciprocal tariffs on a list of steel products worth $12.6 billion and aluminum products worth $3 billion, as well as additional imported U.S. goods worth $14.2 billion, for a total of $29.8 billion to match U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum dollar-for-dollar.
On April 3, imposing 25 per cent tariffs on non-CUSMA compliant fully assembled vehicles imported into Canada from the United States and 25 per cent tariffs on non-Canadian and non-Mexican content of CUSMA compliant fully assembled vehicles imported into Canada from the United States.
On April 15, the Minister of Finance announced new measures for Canadian businesses and entities affected by the tariff dispute between Canada and the United States. These measures include the remission of some of the countermeasure tariffs announced by Canada in response to unjustified tariffs imposed by the U.S. on Canadian products.
On April 17, Canada suspended auto counter-tariffs for one year, and imports used in manufacturing and in support of public health, public safety, and national security for six months.
On September 1, Canada removed all tariffs on CUSMA compliant goods, maintaining tariffs on steel, aluminum, and autos.

Read the tariff full announcement here.
Complete list of U.S. products subject to counter tariffs.
Read the remission and countermeasure announcement here.

The Canadian and U.S. economies are intricately linked through trade. Our countries traded an average of $2.5 million in bilateral goods and services every minute of every day in 2023. The U.S. is Canada’s largest trading partner, where approximately 75% of Canadian exports go.

We understand that the recent developments surrounding the U.S. tariffs may bring uncertainty and concern for local businesses. Please know that you are not alone in this—we are here to support you.

The County of Wellington is committed to helping our business community navigate these potential economic challenges. Our Economic Development team is actively monitoring the situation and will keep you informed through our newsletter, communications, and this page.

If you require any assistance, our Economic Development team is ready to help you navigate resources and available support. Contact our team via email or call us at 519.837.2600 x 2614.

Not sure what tariffs are? Click here for Tariff FAQs.

Tariff and Trade Resources

Federal, Provincial, and Sectoral Supports

FedDev Ontario – Regional Tariff Response Initiative

On August 26, FedDev Ontario announced that the Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) is open for applications.

The RTRI is a three-year, $450-million national initiative, delivered through Canada’s regional development agencies (RDAs), to help businesses overcome trade challenges. FedDev Ontario will deliver nearly $160 million in southern Ontario, with targeted support available for businesses in the steel and automotive industries.

Interested businesses who have been impacted by tariffs, particularly in the steel and automotive sectors, should contact the Wellington County Economic Development team to learn more.

Who can apply?

Businesses in southern Ontario that:

Are located and operating in southern Ontario at the time of your application.
Are incorporated and registered to do business in Canada or Ontario (for at least the past 3 years).
Are operating as a for-profit business.
Employ a minimum of 5 full-time employees in southern Ontario and fewer than 500 full-time employees.
Were viable prior to the tariffs imposed by the U.S. and China, and prior to March 21, 2025.
Have at least 25% of sales in the markets targeted by the tariffs; or can demonstrate the business has been directly affected by ongoing trade disruptions, including U.S. and China tariffs or Canadian countermeasures.

For more information about eligibility, click the link below, or complete the online self-screening tool. Funding will be allocated on an ongoing rolling basis.

EMC Member Help Portal

Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium (EMC) remains committed to keeping Canadian manufacturers informed about Canada / US trade relations. As part of this effort, we will continue to collaborate with peers, stakeholders, and partners to gather valuable insights, benchmark key developments, and share timely updates.

Member Needs Help – Member Help Portal is designed to foster collaboration and knowledge sharing within the manufacturing community. For a limited time, the Canada/US Trade Relations Edition is open to all Canadian manufacturers!

BDC Business Development Bank of Canada

BDC Small Business Loan

Get up to $350,000 to power your next project.

From buying equipment to paying suppliers or launching marketing campaigns, a small business loan can help you overcome challenges, meet your next milestone or just run a better business.

Apply and receive your funds online. No application fees. Interest-only payments for the first 6 months.*

Minimum requirements:

Based in Canada
Generating revenue for the past 24 months
Good credit history

Business Benefit Finder

Export Canada

Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC)

Trade Commissioner Service

Now more than ever, the Trade Commissioner Service helps Canadian businesses grow with confidence by connecting them with our funding and support programs, international opportunities, and our network of trade commissioners in over 160 cities worldwide.

Get help Exporting

Apply for funding, join a trade mission or event, and learn how to export.

Know your Markets

Research your next market and learn about our trade agreements, tariffs and sanctions.

Work with us

Get help from a trade commissioner, assess if you are ready and create an account.

Visit their website for more information.

EDC – Export Development Canada

Export Development Canada (EDC) is a Crown corporation dedicated to helping Canadian companies of all sizes succeed on the world stage. We equip them with the tools they need – the trade knowledge, financial solutions, equity, insurance, and connections – to grow their business with confidence. This in turn, creates jobs and increases prosperity at home.

Solutions include:

Capital – access to working capital and financing
Risk mitigation – insurance that lowers the risk of doing business abroad
Trade knowledge – expertise to help companies make informed decisions
Global connections – relationships that connect Canadian and international companies and help both parties grow

Visit their website for more information.

Canada-US Trade Tracker

Process for Requesting Remission of Tariffs

The Export Distribution Centre Program (EDCP)

The EDCP is administered by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). The programme is intended to benefit export-oriented businesses that import goods and/or acquire goods in Canada, process them to add limited value and then export them. Under the program, EDCP participants do not pay federal Goods and Services Tax (GST) or a Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) on most imported goods or on domestic purchases of goods worth $1,000 or more.

Local Start-up and Entrepreneurial Support

Waterloo Wellington Community Futures

LaunchIt Business Exploration Centre

A community hub connecting individuals, entrepreneurs and business owners with information, space, and people to explore bold ideas and spark action in business. They provide local access to workshops, events, lunch and learns, workplace training resources, and custom business development support. LaunchIt serves rural communities across northern Wellington County, including Minto, Mapleton and Wellington North.

www.launchitminto.com

Business Centre Guelph Wellington

LiftOff Waterloo Wellington

Boundless Accelerator (formally known as Innovation Guelph)

Saugeen Economic Development Corporation (SEDC)

Employment Resources

Work-Sharing Program (WSP)

Canada Retraining and Opportunities Initiative

Employment Insurance

Better Jobs Ontario

Employment Ontario

EmployNext by SERCO

Mental Health Resources

Mind Beacon Therapist Guided Programme

Connex Ontario

Togetherall

BounceBack

Canadian Mental Health Association Waterloo Wellington

eMentalHealth.ca

Think Mental Health

Ontario Federation of Agriculture

The Conference Board of Canada

The Farmers' Toolbox

Canadian Agricultural Safety Association

Do More Ag

MHCC Workplace Mental Health

Lumino Health

Downtown Palmerston showing rows of businesses

Full List of Supports

Visit our Business Resource page for a full list of supports.

Shop Local, Buy Wellington County

Supporting local businesses strengthens our community and helps Canadian businesses thrive. While looking for ‘Product of Canada’ and ‘Made in Canada’ labels, don’t forget the incredible products grown and made right here in Wellington County.

Here are a few simple ways to discover and support local products: