Manufacturer Information Hub – Trade & Tariffs
National Policy Webinar: Navigating Tariffs in the Canadian Steel Industry
Join Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters Thursday, December 18 at 12:30-1:30 pm ET for our members-exclusive webinar featuring François Desmarais, Vice President, Trade & Industry Affairs at the Canadian Steel Producers Association (CSPA).
The session will provide a clear overview of Canada’s tariff-rate quota framework, including what is and is not subject to tariffs, and offer insights into ongoing efforts by steel producers to expand domestic opportunities for manufacturers. Participants will also have the opportunity to ask questions and share perspectives directly with CSPA to help inform future industry engagement.
Blueprint to Strengthen Canadian Manufacturing
April 16, CME released its Federal Election Platform document, Blueprint to Strengthen Canadian Manufacturing, in which CME outlines a clear path forward to address long-overdue structural economic reforms to restore Canada’s competitiveness, investment and long-term resilience.
B2B CONNECTIONS PORTAL
Finding reliable Canadian suppliers shouldn’t be a challenge. That’s why CME created a B2B Connections Portal – an exclusive, members-only platform designed to help you source locally and build valuable relationships within the Canadian manufacturing community.
DESIGNED BY MANUFACTURERS, FOR MANUFACTURERS
Manufacturers, we know you’re navigating unprecedented challenges. Now more than ever, finding ways to boost efficiency and productivity is essential.
That’s why CME’s training programs are designed with you in mind. Tailored specifically for Canadian manufacturers, we provide the essential tools and resources to help you stay competitive.
CME IS KEEPING MEMBERS IN THE KNOW
The Trump administration has released a broad-based memorandum on their vision for an ‘America First Trade Policy.’ Among other things in the document that could impact Canada, the memorandum calls for the U.S. Departments of Commerce and Treasury and the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to investigate the source of annual trade deficits and make recommendations, including the imposition of tariffs, to address them.
CME will continue to provide timely updates and expert analysis to help manufacturers navigate these challenges.
Follow us on social media for updates in real time
CME Tariff Reading
Budget 2025 delivers key gains for manufacturers facing tariff pressures, but Canada still needs deeper competitiveness reforms to drive long-term industrial resilience
OTTAWA, November 4, 2025 – Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) applauds Budget 2025 for recognizing the serious challenges facing Canada’s economy amid ongoing U.S. trade actions and for introducing new incentives to spur investment.
“This budget takes meaningful steps to support manufacturers under pressure and acknowledges the critical role our sector plays in Canada’s economic future,” said Dennis Darby, President and CEO of CME. “Immediate expensing for manufacturing equipment and buildings, SR&ED enhancements, and new trade infrastructure investments will help manufacturers compete, but deeper tax and regulatory reforms are still needed to ensure the sector can not only survive but thrive amid U.S. trade pressures. Building long-term industrial resilience in a volatile global trade environment must remain the ultimate goal.”
Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters launches interactive Canadian Manufacturing Data Dashboard
OTTAWA, September 29, 2025 – Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters today launched the Canadian Manufacturing Data Dashboard, a modern, interactive resource that brings together timely, trusted data on Canada’s manufacturing sector in one place.
“Clear, accessible, up-to-date data is essential for informed decision-making,” said Dennis Darby, President and CEO of CME. “The dashboard puts key manufacturing indicators at the fingertips of manufacturers, policymakers, and media, helping them quickly understand what’s changing and why.”
The dashboard provides current and historical data on employment, sales, GDP, and merchandise trade by province and by sector in an intuitive interface that is free to use. Data are sourced from Statistics Canada and presented in interactive charts and tables that allow users to drill down by industry, region, and time period.
Statement from CME regarding new federal measures to support Canada’s strategic industries
OTTAWA, September 5, 2025 – Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) welcomes today’s announcements by the Prime Minister to support Canada’s industrial economy. Manufacturing has been among the hardest hit by U.S. tariff actions, and these measures represent a necessary step toward stabilizing the sector.
As a strategic industry that employs over 1.8 million well-paid workers across the country, manufacturing is key driver or exports, and innovation and productivity – and is essential to Canada’s long-term economic resilience and sovereignty.
CME National Policy Webinar: The CUSMA Consultation Process
In late-September, the Government of Canada launched the second phase of public consultations on the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), to seek input from Canadians on key aspects of the Agreement that are working well, as well as areas that could be improved.
To make sense of it all, join us on October 22 from 12-1pm ET for a for a special members-only webinar with Ann Penner, Vice President of Trade from Wellington Advocacy. She will share her perspectives on the current consultation and what it means for the future of CUSMA and broader North American trade relations.
In this interactive session, you will have the opportunity to hear the latest insights on Canada’s trade negotiations with the U.S. as well as ask questions and provide critical feedback that will inform CME’s official consultation responses.
Have your say! Fill out CME's survey on CUSMA
In 2026, Canada, the United States and Mexico will hold the first joint review of CUSMA/USMCA. This review will determine whether to extend the agreement for another 16 years and could open the door to adjustments or new issues.
As a required precursor to the review, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative launched a 45-day public consultation on September 16, 2025, followed shortly by the Government of Canada’s own consultation, which runs until November 3, 2025. Mexico has also begun its process. Each government is seeking input on what works well under CUSMA and where improvements are needed.
CME is preparing to respond on behalf of the thousands of manufacturers we represent nationwide. To ensure our message is strong and representative, we are calling on all members to get involved.
Share your perspective by filling out our Manufacturer Survey on the CUSMA Joint Review. All responses will remain confidential. Deadline for responses is October 24, 2025.
CANADA-U.S. TARIFFS IN EFFECT AND TIMELINE
Read our detailed list of what Canada-U.S. tariffs are currently in effect and a detailed timeline of events starting with the 2024 U.S. election.
Statement from Dennis Darby, President and CEO, CME, regarding the state of U.S.-Canada trade
OTTAWA, August 1, 2025 – Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) is deeply disappointed that the United States has increased its tariff rate to 35 per cent and that Canada and the U.S. have failed to reach an agreement.
Assuming there is no deal reached by the end of the day, this steep increase will be devastating for Canadian manufacturers, further driving up costs, disrupting supply chains, and threatening jobs across the country. Manufacturers had hoped this round of negotiations would bring long-overdue relief from unjustified U.S. tariffs.
New data: U.S. Tariffs continue to hammer Canadian manufacturing, threatening jobs and investment
As Prime Minister Carney and President Trump commit to finalizing a new economic and security agreement within 30 days, Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) is warning that Canada’s industrial base continues to suffer escalating damage.
New survey data from CME reveals that three in four Canadian manufacturers are experiencing moderate to very severe harm from ongoing U.S. tariffs, undermining investment, employment, and broader economic stability.
Statement from Dennis Darby, President and CEO, CME, regarding U.S. tariff hike on steel and aluminum
Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) strongly condemns the U.S. administration’s unjustified and reckless announcement that it intends to double tariffs on imported steel and aluminum from 25 per cent to 50 per cent.
Increased tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum have no economic or security justification, will cause direct harm to U.S. manufacturers, and will put thousands of Canadian jobs at risk.
Ontario Together Trade Fund
Learn how eligible Ontario companies impacted by trade disruptions can get support to enhance resilience, strengthen capacity, build local supply chains in Ontario, and expand market reach. Read more.
CME congratulates Prime Minister Mark Carney in forming Canada’s next government
Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters congratulates Prime Minister Mark Carney in forming Canada’s next federal government and looks forward to working with all elected parliamentarians to support Canadian manufacturers in the face of U.S. tariffs.
“With Canada’s industrial economy under threat, now more than ever, it is important that our newly elected government takes bold and immediate action to protect and grow Canada’s industrial economy,” said Dennis Darby, President and CEO of CME.
To qualify for preferential treatment when imported into the U.S., a good must meet the CUSMA rules of origin, which determine how much production must be undertaken in North America for goods to be considered originating under the Agreement.
Government of Canada's Understanding CUSMA compliance hub
As of March 7, 2025, U.S. International Emergency Economic Powers Act tariffs have been paused for goods imported from Canada that qualify for duty-free preferential treatment under the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). For the vast majority of goods, traders can claim preference under the CUSMA if they meet the Agreement’s rules of origin.
To qualify for preferential treatment when imported into the U.S., a good must meet the CUSMA rules of origin, which determine how much production must be undertaken in North America for goods to be considered originating under the Agreement.
STATEMENT FROM DENNIS DARBY REGARDING U.S. RECIPROCAL TARIFFS
On April 2, the U.S. administration announced reciprocal tariffs against numerous. CME President and CEO, Dennis Darby called once again for both the U.S. and Canadian governments to work together to reinforce the North American manufacturing advantage by pursuing a comprehensive renewal of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement.
LETTER: Protecting Canadian manufacturers and workers
In response to the ongoing tariff threat, CME sent another letter to federal party leaders urging the federal government to act decisively on two fronts to help stabilize manufacturing businesses and protect jobs – accelerate and simplify the remissions process and create a short-term tariff relief program.
ANNOUNCED FEDERAL SUPPORTS FOR BUSINESSES AND EMPLOYEES
On March 7, the government announced federal measures to support businesses and workers. Measures include:
- Launching the Trade Impact Program through Export Development Canada. The program will deploy $5 billion over two years, starting this year, to help exporters reach new markets for Canadian products and help companies navigate the economic challenges imposed by the tariffs, including losses from non-payment, currency fluctuations, lack of access to cash flows, and barriers to expansion.
- Making $500 million in favourably priced loans available through the Business Development Bank of Canada to support impacted businesses in sectors directly targeted by tariffs, as well as companies in their supply chains. Businesses will also benefit from advisory services in areas such as financial management and market diversification.
- Providing $1 billion in new financing through Farm Credit Canada to reduce financial barriers for the Canadian agriculture and food industry. This lending offer will help address cash flow challenges so that businesses can adjust to a new operating environment and continue to supply the high-quality agricultural and food products that Canadians rely on.
- Introducing temporary flexibilities to the EI Work-Sharing Program to increase access and maximum agreement duration. The Work-Sharing Program provides EI benefits to employees who agree with their employer to work reduced hours due to a decrease in business activity beyond their employer’s control to help retain employees and avoid layoffs.
In the days and weeks ahead, CME will continue advocating for strong, direct support for manufacturers that will be most affected by tariffs beyond the measures noted above.
CANADA’S RETALIATORY TARIFFS
In response to the U.S action, the federal government has implemented retaliatory measures. The first phase of Canada’s response includes tariffs on $30 billion in goods imported from the U.S., effective March 4. The list includes products such as orange juice, peanut butter, wine, spirits, beer, coffee, appliances, apparel, footwear, motorcycles, cosmetics, and certain pulp and paper products.
The government also announced that, should the U.S. continue to apply unjustified tariffs on Canada, the government intends to impose additional countermeasures on $125 billion in imports from the U.S., drawing from a list of goods open for a 21-day comment period, which would bring the scope of countermeasures to a total of $155 billion worth of products. This list includes products such as electric vehicles, fruits and vegetables, beef, pork, dairy, electronics, steel, aluminum, trucks, and buses. Manufacturers can provide comments on the federal governments proposed tariff measures directly to Finance Canada: consultations@fin.gc.ca.
TARIFF REMISSIONS PROCESS
Finance Canada has outlined a discretionary remission process for Canadian importers that may be impacted by Canada’s retaliatory tariffs. The remission process applies to the first round of Canada’s retaliatory tariffs and all future tariffs. The federal government is considering requests for remission in these two instances: 1) Situations where goods used as inputs cannot be sourced domestically, either on a national or regional basis, or reasonably from non-U.S. sources; and 2) To address, on a case-by-case basis, other exceptional circumstances that could have severe adverse impacts on the Canadian economy. Questions or remissions requests should be made directly to Finance Canada at remissions-remises@fin.gc.ca.
CME Condemns New Tariffs on Steel, Aluminium Imports from Canada
CME condemns the U.S. administration’s unjustified decision on Feb 10 to impose new tariffs on imports of steel and aluminium from Canada. This decision is yet another move that significantly undermines one of the most successful economic partnerships in the world.
The proposed tariff measures will harm consumers, businesses and workers on both sides of the border.
White House Bulletin / Fact Sheet
ADVOCATING FOR RELIEF MEASURES
CME will continue to advocate for urgent policies that will safeguard Canadian businesses, workers and their families. We’re working with all levels of government to engage U.S. officials and push for an immediate rollback of these misguided and damaging tariffs and pursuing urgent relief by advocating for direct federal and provincial support for manufacturers and workers impacted by these measures. During past crises, including steel & aluminum tariffs, the COVID-19 pandemic and more, CME successfully advocated for relief measures, and we will do so again for you.