Canadian Chamber Statement Regarding Reciprocal Tariffs

The world economic order is shifting, and it has been for years. Yet this time of rising hostility and uncertainty is made all the more painful because of President Trump’s America First Trade Policy. Today’s announcement of reciprocal tariffs further undermines the rules-based international trade order that has made much of the western world, especially the United States, more prosperous and productive. 

With global economies connected through complex supply chains, no nation is an island anymore. Disrupting long-standing, mutually beneficial trade patterns with counterproductive tariffs makes no sense for American or Canadian economic success. Tariffs are taxes. They raise the cost of goods and services for citizens. They are not — as the President claims — a source of endless revenue. The pursuit of an American industrial model from the past will result in rising costs of goods, long-term economic decline, and job losses. 

For Canada, this is a moment of national importance, one that demands we unite and focus on our national interests. We are overdue in putting our own house in order by delivering on the promise of internal trade, expanding our trade relationships, and ensuring our regulatory approach allows us to attract capital and be competitive. We must protect our economic security and build resilience, and in doing so, diversify our economy so we are not solely dependent on the United States. The 2025 B7 theme, “Economic Security and Resilience”, announced this morning, as well as the upcoming gathering of business leaders at the B7 Summit in May, are more relevant than ever. 

• Candace Laing, President and CEO, Canadian Chamber of Commerce

About the Canadian Chamber of Commerce — The Future of Business Success 

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce is Canada’s largest and most activated business network — representing over 400 chambers of commerce and boards of trade and more than 200,000 business of all sizes, from all sectors of the economy and from every part of the country — working to create the conditions for our collective success. The Canadian Chamber of Commerce is the undisputed champion and catalyst for the future of business success. From working with government on economy-friendly policy to providing services that inform commerce and enable trade, we give each of our members more of what they need to succeed: insight into markets, competitors and trends, influence over the decisions and policies that drive business success, and impact on business and economic performance.   

Media Contact

Shane Mackenzie
Vice President, Media and Stakeholder Communications
613.302.7683
smackenzie@chamber.ca