Canada-U.S.

Trade and tariffs

The recent tariffs and counter-tariffs between Canada and the United States have raised concerns among Hamilton residents, our local businesses community, and indeed among all Canadians. Amid a time of uncertainty and economic anxiety, the Hamilton Economic Development team is here to listen while providing insights and resources.

Like many Southern Ontario cities, Hamilton’s economy is deeply integrated with the United States. Significant trade and investment flow between our nations and through the Great Lakes area. The economic development team will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide updates as new information becomes available.

Contact a member of our team

OVERVIEW

On February 1, 2025, the U.S. announced that it is imposing tariffs of 25% on Canadian goods and a tariff of 10% on energy exports from Canada, imported into the U.S. from Canada, effective February 4, 2025.

Canada has responded to the U.S. tariffs by introducing countermeasures to pressure the U.S. to remove them. These include:

Imposing tariffs on $30 billion in goods imported from the U.S., effective February 4, 2025, when the U.S. tariffs are applied.
Announcing that the government intends to impose tariffs on an additional list of imported U.S. goods worth $125 billion.
- A complete list of these goods will be available shortly for a 21-day public comment period before implementation and includes products such as passenger vehicles and trucks, including electric vehicles, steel and aluminum products, specific fruits and vegetables, aerospace products, beef, pork, dairy, trucks and buses, recreational vehicles, and recreational boats.

The Government of Canada added, “All options remain on the table as the government considers additional measures, including non-tariff possibilities, should the U.S. continue to apply unjustified tariffs on Canada.”

Read more about Canada’s response by clicking here.

The current list of products imported from the United States subject to 25% tariffs can be found here.

The Economic Development Office prioritizes supporting the city’s businesses in uncertain times. If you have any questions or concerns or need assistance, please do not hesitate to contact our team. We are committed to navigating these challenging times together.