The City of Toronto is gathering input from local businesses to understand how tariffs are affecting them. Your responses to this five-minute survey will help shape advocacy efforts and inform the development of business support programs.

 

The City of Toronto is actively engaging with federal and provincial governments and supports a Team Canada approach to ensure we are ready to respond to proposed 25 per cent universal tariffs on all U.S. imports from Canada by the United States government. Toronto holds an integral role in the nation’s economy. We are committed to working closely with leaders across the country to address the impact of the U.S. protectionism on local businesses and workers.

For real-time updates and assistance, connect with City staff to share how tariffs are impacting your business. We are here to support you every step of the way.

When you shop local your dollars stay in the local economy, creating jobs and contributing to the local tax base. This all creates the vibrant and livable communities in which people want to live and entrepreneurs want to start and grow their businesses in.

New investment is attracted to communities where small businesses thrive. This helps generate the tax revenue that builds critical infrastructure, provides amenities and funds programs for the community.

Ways to Support Local

Toronto’s neighbourhoods are filled with Canadian-owned small business selling local goods and services. Explore your local Business Improvement Area.

Toronto’s iconic Market Districts offer unparalleled atmospheres, regular events, tasty treats and some of the most unique shops in the city:

Across the city there are also many incredible farmers’ markets and trade exhibitions to explore year round:

Discover Canadian Online Retailers

Other Ways to Support Local Businesses

  • Consider a gift card to a local shop or restaurant when buying for family or friends
  • Leave positive reviews online
  • Refer friends and family to the great businesses you discover
  • Share your favourite finds on social media

The City is Taking Action

The City of Toronto is taking strong action to mitigate the effects of tariffs and strengthen local economic resilience, including:

  • Convening business and labour leaders to advise on the City’s response
  • Establishing a U.S. Engagement Secretariat within City Hall
  • Actively monitoring tariffs and implementing an action plan that includes enhanced local procurement to minimize disruptions
  • Gathering input from local businesses to understand how tariffs are affecting them. Respond to this five-minute survey to help shape advocacy efforts and inform the development of business support programs

How to Access Support from the City

Resources & Events

The City is assessing how U.S. tariffs will impact different sectors of Toronto’s economy and the coordinated response will evolve and react as needed. Below are the industries expected to be affected:

Industry Associations

Resources for Exporters

Economic Policy Timeline

Complete: Executive Order for U.S. Government to Enact Tariffs
02/01/2025- Complete

The executive order imposes 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports to the U.S. and an additional 10 per cent on China. President Trump is exercising his authority under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 to adjust imports of steel and aluminum as a measure of protecting U.S. national security.

Complete: Development of Reciprocal Tariffs
02/13/2025 – Complete

President Trump signs a Memorandum of Understanding ordering the development of the “Fair and Reciprocal Plan” with the objective of correcting percieved imbalances in international trade, potentially resulting in new “reciprocal” tariffs on trading partners on a country-by-country basis globally.

Complete: Automobile, Pharmaceutical and Semi-Conductor Tariffs
02/18/2025 – Complete

President Trump states he intends to impose automobile tariffs “in the neighbourhood of 25 per cent,” with similar duties on semi-conductors and pharmaceutical imports to be enacted possibly as early as April 2.

Complete: Tariffs
03/04/2025 – Complete

A 25 per cent across the board tariff applied on all Canadian goods exported to the United States and a 10 per cent tariff applied to all Canadian energy products.

In response, the Canadian government implemented immediate tariffs on $30 billion in goods imported from the U.S. into Canada.

Complete: Addressing Interprovincial Trade Barriers
03/05/2025 – Complete

At the Committee on Internal Trade (CIT) meeting, the Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Transport and Internal Trade, and her provincial and territorial counterparts agreed on additional measures to eliminate regulatory barriers to internal trade, encourage free movement of labour, and to further standardize regulations across Canada.

Current: Tariffs Suspended on CUSMA Goods
03/05/2025 – Current

The United States agrees to suspend the 25 per cent tariff on goods that are covered by the CUSMA Trade Agreement.

Canada pauses the remaining $125 billion in tariffs on selected US imports that was to be applied on March 25.

Current: Temporary Automobile Tariff Exemption
03/05 to 04/04/2025 – Current

The United States agrees to provide a 30-day tariff exemption for all automobiles exported from Canada.

Incomplete: Tariffs on All Steel and Aluminum Begin
03/12/2025 – Upcoming

President Trump’s proclamations reinstate 25 per cent tariffs on all steel products and increase tariffs to 25 per cent on aluminum imports into the U.S. as of March 12.