The national organization representing businesses and chambers of commerce across the country, including in Chatham-Kent, is calling on the federal government to address tariffs aimed at Canadian steel and aluminum.
The Canadian Chamber of Commerce has called for federal leaders to reconvene Parliament to deal with the issue.
Locally, the Chatham-Kent Chamber of Commerce said these tariffs pose a serious risk to the automotive sector, which resonates deeply in in the municipality. Officials said tariffs on steel, aluminum, and auto parts will threaten jobs and investment across our region as costs increase for manufacturers.
B.J. Griffiths, the board chair for the Chatham-Kent Chamber of Commerce, said the tariffs will also impact the agriculture sector in CK.
“Tariffs on steel, aluminum, and energy significantly increase input costs for our manufacturers and agricultural producers, hindering their competitiveness,” he said in a news release. “We will see broadening of tariffs increase building costs, and delay capital returns on new investment potentially delaying or cancelling those investments.
To further address the American tariffs, the national chamber is encouraging all federal parties to develop a multi-partisan plan that includes building Canada’s economy and resilience from within through internal trade.
The chamber is also calling on the government to build new modern trade infrastructure, reduce red tape, and cut taxation on businesses to allow them to complete globally and diversify trade relationships.