Tariff Support

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) released a statement on May 1 stating automobile parts compliant with the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) on trade will exempt from tariffs. 

As of April 10, the United States is still imposing tariffs on Canada after U.S. President D​​onald Trump pulled back select duties against countries around the world. A 25% tariff remains on some Canadian goods.

Canada has also maintained a 25% reciprocal tariff on steel products worth $12.6 billion and aluminum products worth $3 billion, along with additional tariffs on imported U.S. goods totaling $14.2 billion. In total, these tariffs amount to $29.8 billion.

Northumberland County is actively assessing the potential impact of these tariffs on our local economy and community. If you have questions or need support, please contact us. 

Please note: Due to ongoing tariff updates, this webpage will be continuously monitored and updated as new information becomes available. 

Latest news & updates

For the latest news and resources, visit the Government of Ontario's website.

Local updates

Canada Tariff Finder

The Canada Tariff Finder helps businesses check import and export tariffs for specific goods and markets, particularly in countries with which Canada has a Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

This tool provides:

  • General tariff rates applicable to all nations
  • Preferential rates under FTAs, including phase-out periods
  • Side-by-side tariff comparisons for up to three countries or products

The Canada Tariff Finder is a collaborative initiative by BDC, EDC, and the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service of Global Affairs Canada.

Funding and financial assistance
Currently, no tariff-specific funding programs have been announced by the federal or provincial governments. However, businesses can explore other available funding options.

  • Enhanced Ontario Made Manufacturing Investment Tax Credit (OMMITC)​​ - The Government of Ontario has increased the tax credit from 10% to 15% for eligible corporations on qualifying investments in buildings, machinery, and equipment used in manufacturing or processing— up to $3 million per year.
  • Southern Ontario Fund for Investment in Innovation (SOFII) ​- supports high-growth, innovative small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in rural and urban communities by offering loans of $150,000 to $500,000 to support all aspects of growth challenges. Funded in part by FedDev Ontario, SOFII empowers innovation in southern Ontario.
  • Ontario Together Trade Fund​ - provides financial support to help businesses near-term investments so they can serve more interprovincial customers, develop new markets, and re-shore critical supply chains in the face of U.S. tariffs. (Please note the application period opens April 23, 2025)
  • As a first step to support workers and businesses, the province is:
    • Deferring select provincially administered taxes for six months from April 1, 2025, to October 1, 2025, giving businesses and job creators approximately $9 billion worth of cash flow they need to keep workers employed and weather the economic turmoil.
    • Through the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB), issuing a further $2 billion rebate for safe employers to support businesses and help keep workers on the job, in addition to the previous $2 billion rebate distributed in March. ​
  • Canada's Employment Insurance (EI)'s Work-Sharing Program - The Work-Sharing is an adjustment program designed to help employers and employees avoid layoffs when there is a temporary reduction in the normal level of business activity that is beyond the control of the employer. It provides income support to employees eligible for Employment Insurance benefits who work a temporarily reduced work while their employer recovers. 
  • EDC Trade Impact Program - Export Development Canada (EDC) will offer $5 billion in new facilities over 2 years to help exporters reach new markets for Canadian products and help companies navigate the challenges imposed by tariffs, including losses from non-payment, currency fluctuations, lack ​of access to cash flows, and barriers to expansion.
  • Funding that Helps Your Company Grow in Global Markets - CanExport SMEs program is accepting applications
  • Ontario Government Funding Opportunities - Financial support for businesses.
  • Pivot to Grow Loan - Business Development Canada (BDC) will offer $500 million in new lending. BDC's Pivot to Grow program will provide financing, advice and loan deferrals to small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) financially impacted by the chill effects of potential or imposed U.S. tariffs.
  • Trade Disruption Customer Support Program - Farm Credit Canada (FCC) will offer $1 billion in new lending. This program features access to an additional credit line of up to $500,000 along with new term loans. FCC customers will have the option to defer principal payments for up to 12 months on current loans. 

Ontario's Advanced Manufacturing Ecosystem

The TrilliumGIS database, maintained by the Trillium Network, provides comprehensive data on Ontario's manufacturing sector, including:

  • Manufacturing Establishments
  • Supply chain connections
  • Business-to-business opportunities
  • Innovation partnerships 

Sector-specific support and updates

Support local directories

Trade support and resources

Expanding into new markets can help businesses secure new customers and revenue streams, especially in light of U.S tariff uncertainties. Consider exploring alternative trade opportunities through these resources:

*The Canadian government is offering a temporary 6-month relief from tariffs on certain goods imported from the U.S. The Government will consider requests for remission in the following instances: 

  1. To address situations where goods used as inputs cannot be sourced domestically, either on a national or regional basis, or reasonably from non-U.S. sources.

  2. To address, on a case-by-case basis, other exceptional circumstances that could have severe adverse impacts on the Canadian economy.
Resources provided by Chatham-Kent Economic Development & Tourism Services.