(Medicine Hat) Tariffs are the most urgent threat facing Canadian and American businesses today. Modelling from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce's Business Data Lab suggests that these tariffs would come at a huge economic cost, reducing real annual income by $1,900 CAD per Canadian and $1,300 USD per American.

To empower the Canadian and American businesses and stakeholders who are working hard to grow our best-in-class trade relationship, the Business Data Lab launched its Canada-U.S. Trade Tracker. The interactive and customizable online tool highlights the deep and vital economic interconnections at the state, province, territory and Canadian Census Metropolitan Areas (CMAs).

“Tariffs are a lose-lose. They would raise business costs, reduce North America’s international competitiveness, and ultimately increase consumer prices at a time when Canadians and Americans are both struggling with significant affordability challenges,” says Stephen Tapp, Chief Economist at the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. “The dynamic and localized information available in the Canada-U.S. Trade Tracker will help government leaders, businesses and citizens on both sides of the border better understand these critical cross-border linkages and then make the case to decision-makers that we should strengthen rather than break these mutually beneficial ties.”

Canada is the largest export market for 34 states, reaching all the way south to Mississippi and Florida with each province and territory having its own special trade relationship with many American states. For Alberta:

• Illinois is Alberta's top American trading partner, followed by Texas and Washington;
• Two-way goods trade between the U.S. and Alberta accounts for $187,969 million.
• 355,598 Canadian jobs are supported by Alberta's exports to the U.S.
• 5,365 companies in Alberta's export to the U.S.
• Alberta's top five export products include mineral products, chemicals, live animals & products, plastics & rubber, and machinery & electrical.

“If President Trump wants to win for Americans, he shouldn’t be taxing the steel and aluminum that the American defence, manufacturing, aerospace and energy industries rely on. The only thing that’s “America First” about these self-defeating tariffs is who pays first. Moving forward with 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum is wrong on many levels, and we’ve already seen how this plays out — analysis by experts in the United States shows that the steel and aluminum tariffs imposed in the first Trump administration have raised costs for American manufacturers and prices for consumers. Instead, by removing tariffs from these industries, the United States could finally benefit from the expected job growth and GDP increase that would come with less trade barriers.” Candace Laing, Canadian Chamber of Commerce President and CEO, highlighted in a recent statement.

Minerals, Chemicals, Agriculture, as well as plastics and machinery are our top five export products in Alberta with similar import products including minerals, machinery, vehicles, chemicals and food & beverage products. 

"We know Alberta is one of the top 3 provinces most at risk from tariffs due to their economic reliance on U.S. exports and dependence on the U.S. as a key export market. We have over 30 local exporters within our membership and we know there would be significant impacts on costs for their companies and their customers. Our Chamber is advocating to eliminate any tariffs, but also open up interprovincial trade, reduce red tape to help build up businesses, reduce taxation so that businesses can focus on competing globally while also diversifying trade relationships and advocating for programs that assist businesses in mitigating impacts", stated Chamber Executive Director, Lisa Dressler. 

With the up-to-date state of the relationship on full display through the Canada-U.S. Trade Tracker, it’s undeniable: we do better together.

What can businesses do?
· Visit the Canada-U.S. Trade Tracker to learn about your province, territory or city’s relationship with the U.S.
· Tell your tariff story

Media Relations Contact:

Lisa Dressler, Executive Director

Phone 403-527-5214 ext 225

Canadian Chamber of Commerce Contact: 

Shane Mackenzie

Vice-President, Media Relations & Stakeholder Communications

T. 613.302.7683 

smackenzie@chamber.ca 

The Chamber of Commerce is a member-driven, volunteer-led organization, proudly representing the interests of businesses in our region, and working diligently to stimulate a strengthened and vibrant economy through our connections, support and influence. For close to 125 years, the Chamber has stood for promoting business, monitoring government and championing managed growth in the local economy. The Chamber represents over 800 businesses in our region and is aligned with both the Alberta Chambers of Commerce (ACC), which represents over 24,000 businesses, and the Canadian Chambers of Commerce (CCC), which represents over 200,000 businesses. With the largest and most influential business organizations locally, provincially, and federally, the Chamber network is the most unified, valued and influential business network in Canada and works together to shape policy and programs that will make a difference to businesses in our region.