Durham officials joint statement on potential U.S. tariffs

A joint statement issued by Durham Regional Chair and the mayors from the eight local area municipalities has commited to work to imitigate local impacts of potential U.S. tariffs.

The February 1 United States decision to impose a 25 per cent import tariff on most Canadian goods (see link to list below) and a 10 per cent import tariff on energy beginn effects on local businessesing today (February 4), was postponed yesterday for 30 days after an afternnon call between Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and U.S. President Donald Trump.

“We encourage residents and business owners to buy Canadian products and services when possible to support the local economy,” said the statement.

It said while the Canada-U.S. trading relationship is important and worth protecting, “we must also safeguard and support the businesses that are the backbone of our local economy and community”. Hundreds of businesses in Durham Region, employing many thousands of workers, depend on exporting their products to the U.S. and on importing goods from American producers.

“The ripple effect of U.S. tariffs on imports from Canada will be felt across our local economy. We will work with federal and provincial economic development agencies as they work to mitigate impacts on local businesses. We are committed to supporting the federal and provincial governments to reach a resolution and we are confident in the strength and resilience of our community,” the statement added.

Top Durham officials expressed extreme disappointment with the tariff decision. “These tariffs will have serious and far-reaching impacts on the economies and livelihoods across Canada and the U.S. We stand with the federal and provincial government’s responses—the 25 per cent import tariffs on $155 billion of American goods…are an unfortunate but necessary step as we align to stand up for our people and businesses.”

List of products subject to potential U.S. tariffs

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Whitby motion on U.S. tariff impact at Monday council meet

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