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Trump’s Tariffs and Atlantic Canada’s Response

The tariff situation across Canada continues to evolve. This article reflects the information available on March 5.  

Yesterday, March 4, President Donald Trump’s tariffs officially went into effect, including a 25 per cent across-the-board tariff on all Canadian exports, and a 10 per cent tariffs on Canadian energy. In doing so, the Government of the United States has launched an unjustified and illegal international trade war, and broken decades of work promoting free trade between Canada and the United States. Simultaneously, the United States implemented similar tariffs against Mexican exports to the United States and smaller tariffs against Chinese exports.  

 

The Federal Tariff Response  

 Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the following key actions from the Government of Canada: 

  • 25 per cent tariffs against $150 billion worth of American goods. Already, tariffs have been applied to $30 billion worth of American goods, with the remaining $125 billion worth of goods to be taxed in the weeks to come. 
  • More non-tariff measures will come if President Donald Trump does not change course. 
  • Filing a legal challenge against the United States tariffs at the World Trade Organization. 

Read the full release: https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/news/2025/03/canada-announces-robust-tariff-package-in-response-to-unjustified-us-tariffs.html 

 

Nova Scotia’s Tariff Response 

Premier Tim Houston released a written statement on the United States tariffs, which includes the following key actions from the Nova Scotia Government:  

  • Limit provincial contracts for Amercian businesses while canceling existing contracts with Amercian businesses.  
  • Tolls at the Cobequid Pass for American commercial vehicles will be doubled. 
  • The Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation (NSLC) will remove all alcohol from the United States off the shelves. 
  • Budget 2025-2026 includes a contingency fund to respond to the U.S. tariffs. Funding through this will be announced at a later date. 
  • Introduced the Free Trade and Mobility within Canada Act, and legislation related to breaking down interprovincial trade barriers. 
  • Development of a trade action plan to help Nova Scotian businesses engage in global trade, increase international competitiveness, and increase investment growth.  
  • Commitment to developing Nova Scotia’s natural resources to take the “No” out of Nova Scotia to create more provincial independence.  

Read the full release: https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2025/03/04/statement-us-tariffs 

 

New Brunswick’s Tariff Response 

Premier Susan Holt held a news conference, releasing the key actions from the New Brunswick Government: 

  • Limit provincial contracts for Amercian businesses while canceling existing contracts with Amercian businesses.  
  • NB Liquor will remove all alcohol from the United States off the shelves. 
  • Review of internal trade barriers.  
  • Collaboration with the Atlantic provinces to find new markets for New Brunswick products.  
  • Labour market support program delivered through Working NB and the Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour to provide support to tariff-impacted businesses. There will be a contingency fund through the Regional Development Corporation to support impacted communities. 
  • Working capital loans of up to $5 million to support the operations of businesses impacted by tariffs.  
  • The introduction of a $40 million competitiveness and growth program to strengthen the sustainability of New Brunswick exporters.  
  • $4 million to support the New Brunswick Fisheries Fund, as the province’s fisheries will be among the hardest hit sectors.  
  • Opportunities NB’s existing $30 million strategic assistance budget will support the province’s tariff response to help businesses adapt and grow through contingency planning, market diversification, and productivity improvements. 
  • Improvements to labour mobility, including automatically recognizing certified workers from other jurisdictions for a minimum of 120 days; enabling them to work while getting required provincial credentials; getting rid of nine – narrowing one – and considering six additional party-specific exceptions under the Canadian Free Trade Agreement; taking part in direct-to-consumer sales of alcohol and getting rid of personal exemptions limits for alcohol; strengthening internal trade promotion through a Team Canada approach. 
  • The promotion of a “NB Made” campaign, which will help New Brunswickers identify locally made products.  

Read the full release: https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/news/news_release.2025.03.0064.html 

 

Prince Edward Island’s Tariff Response 

 Premier Rob Lantz held a news conference, releasing the key actions from the Prince Edward Island Government:  

  • Removing US products from Liquor Control Commission catalogue and removing US products from the shelves as of end of day yesterday. 
  • Reviewing all existing and future contracts with US businesses and organizations and limiting procurement for US-based companies in the future.  
  • Engaging, collecting information, and working with stakeholders provincially, nationally and in the United States. 
  • Reducing and eliminating internal trade barriers including starting immediate consultation on legislative changes required to improve internal trade and increase labor mobility within Canada. 
  • Exploring new markets for PEI exports and assessing critical export infrastructure to determine the viability of new shipping corridors and opportunities. 
  • Launching new and expanded initiatives to support businesses. 

 

Read the full release: https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/news/cabinet-committee-on-trade-relations-announces-provinces-tariff-response-plan-to-support-island 

 

Newfoundland and Labrador’s Tariff Response  

Premier Dr. Andrew Furey released a written statement on the United States tariffs, which includes the following key actions from the Newfoundland and Labrador Government: 

  • The Newfoundland and Labrador Liquor Corporation (NLLC) will remove all alcohol from the United States off the shelves. 
  • Limit provincial contracts for Amercian businesses while canceling existing contracts with Amercian businesses.  
  • Identify new export markets for provincial products, including market development and expansion initiatives.  
  • Collaborate with industry, community, and labour organizations through the roundtable Canada-U.S. trade relations.  

Read the full release: https://www.gov.nl.ca/releases/2025/exec/0304n01/