February 12, 2025

The CTMA is working tirelessly to understand what is happening with the US tariffs in hopes of supporting our members.

The February Good Morning Breakfast featured an exclusive behind-the-scenes recording of Business to Business, the radio show airing on 570 News every Sunday. Hosted by Ian McLean, President and CEO of the Greater Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber of Commerce, and Greg Durocher, President and CEO of the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce, the event provided valuable insights.

The special guest speaker, Flavio Volpe, President of the Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association of Canada, led the Project Arrow initiative to build the first all-Canadian parts electric vehicle. Flavio was also appointed by the Prime Minister to the Council on Canada-US Relations to address issues related to the new Trump administration.

Key Takeaways:

As Flavio stated, it is nearly impossible to understand what is happening when the President of the United States changes policies from breakfast to lunch, then again at dinner, and then wakes up to change things again the next day.

What we do know is that not even US businesses or the public fully understand that tariffs placed on Canadian goods will directly affect pricing and business in the USA. From the auto sector to livestock and farming, to electrical power in the Northern and Southeastern USA, all are at risk of huge price increases that are unsustainable for even the United States. Flavio has received calls from US leaders themselves, trying to understand what this will mean for US citizens’ costs and jobs.

If this does happen, it will result in many Canadians being sent home within 24 hours. But let’s be clear: WE WON’T BE GOING HOME ALONE! US citizens will be affected too. However, if this scenario occurs, it likely won’t last long.

This is a wake-up call for Canadians! Patriotism is on the rise! We need to set politics aside and focus on what’s best for Canada. There may be some pain, but there will also be opportunity—opportunities to do more and better business interprovincially, attract automotive OEMs that want to build in Canada and sell to Canadians, and focus on our minerals and natural resources, which the world needs access to. We must make money from them, not give them away.

It’s also important to remember that the US is not built to be self-sustaining. They do not have the people or resources to survive alone on their own little island. So, take a deep breath—they need us, and we need them.

What can you do? Buy Canadian, vacation in Canada, buy a vehicle made in Canada, join a Canadian association that can offer support and connect you with other Canadians to work together and support each other.

We are one of the greatest countries in the world, with the greatest people on the planet. Let’s support each other, work together, and focus on Canada. Please also reach out to your local MP and demand a plan for CANADA!