Our Statement Regarding the U.S. Auto Tariffs

The consequences of today’s escalation in this destructive tariff war will not be contained to Canada, as much as the U.S. administration would like to pretend.  

Throwing away tens of thousands of jobs on both sides of the border will mean giving up North America’s auto leadership role, instead encouraging companies to build and hire anywhere else but here. This tax hike puts plants and workers at risk for generations, if not forever. 

The North American automotive supply chain has been secure, integrated and resulted in better cars for consumers since 1965. Automotive parts can cross international borders up to eight times before final assembly.  With this latest tariff, the U.S. administration has committed to taxing America’s automotive manufacturers and increasing the production cost of a car. 

Around 22% of North American vehicles are produced by the interconnected automotive supply chain between Michigan and Ontario. Integrated supply chains like these are there for a reason — because they make sense economically, which makes sense financially for the American and Canadian families and drivers looking for a reliable, affordable and made-in-North America vehicle. Estimates show, for example, that a pickup truck could cost as much as $8,000 USD more with U.S. tariffs.¹  

We’re severely disappointed in the U.S. administration’s dogged pursuit of trade policies that harm Americans and Canadians. With hundreds of thousands of Canadian jobs impacted by the auto sector, every tariff or even threat of a tariff should propel our public and private sectors to work together for the good of all Canadians — and that means taking care of our economy. 

• 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