As the dust settles on a turbulent trade fight, Canadians are taking stock of a year that some call a lifeline and others label punishing. From steel towns in Ontario to farms on the Prairies, the ripple effects of U.S. tariffs under President Donald Trump and Canada’s retaliation left sharply different marks on households and businesses. Reporter Joe O’Connor gathered stories that reveal a split verdict and an uneasy calm after a tense period.
How the Tariffs Hit Home
The dispute began in 2018, when the United States placed a 25% tariff on steel and a 10% tariff on aluminum, citing national security. Canada responded with tariffs on U.S. goods, from steel products to consumer items. The measures stayed in place until spring 2019, when both countries agreed to lift them.
For many Canadian firms, the effect was immediate. Orders stalled. Prices spiked. Cash flow tightened. For others, the shift opened doors to new customers shut out of U.S. supply chains.
Some Canadians called the year “brutal.” Others said it was “great.”
O’Connor’s reporting captures that divide. The same policy shock that sank margins for one shop kept another line humming.
Winners, Losers, and Tough Choices
Steel fabricators and metal finishers faced higher input costs and delays. Many absorbed the hit to keep clients. Some passed it along and lost bids. A few won contracts from buyers who could no longer source affordably from the U.S.
- Manufacturers tied to cross-border supply chains struggled with price swings.
- Smaller firms lacked the cash buffer to wait out late payments.
- Exporters with flexible sourcing found new suppliers and survived.
Workers saw overtime vanish in some plants and surge in others. In several cases, companies froze hiring, trimmed shifts, or postponed equipment upgrades. The uncertainty made planning difficult, even for healthy businesses.
One owner told O’Connor that the tariff year forced relentless renegotiations with customers and suppliers. Another said the turmoil gave their shop an edge with domestic buyers, calling it their busiest period in years.
Beyond the Factory Gate
Farmers felt the blow from retaliatory measures and market jitters. Prices for some products dipped, even when harvests were strong. Input costs crept up. Families delayed major purchases, unsure how long the dispute would last.
Consumers noticed higher prices on select goods caught by countermeasures. Some retailers swapped brands or adjusted product lines to avoid tariffed items. The changes were uneven, and the burden varied by region and income.
What the Numbers Suggest
During the tariff period, Canadian steel and aluminum exports to the U.S. slowed, then recovered after the levies were removed in 2019. Government support programs eased stress for affected sectors, though many firms said aid arrived late or missed their needs.
Economists noted that tariffs function as a tax, often passed down the chain. In practice, who paid depended on bargaining power. Big buyers squeezed suppliers. Niche producers negotiated better terms. The result: a patchwork of outcomes reflected in O’Connor’s interviews.
Lessons for the Next Shock
The episode highlighted the risks of relying on a single market. Some firms now hold more inventory, diversify suppliers, or lock in pricing to hedge swings. Others aim to grow non-U.S. sales, even at thinner margins.
Trade policy watchers warn that disputes can return quickly. Elections, security concerns, or industrial policy shifts are common triggers. Business leaders say faster relief tools, clearer guidance, and better data would help them react without drastic cuts.
A year later, the verdict remains mixed. Those tied tightly to U.S. inputs or buyers often had a hard time. Firms with flexible sourcing or strong domestic demand fared better. The stories Joe O’Connor collected point to a simple truth: the same shock can land very differently, even on the same street. For now, companies are rebuilding plans and cash reserves, hoping calm holds, but preparing for the next test.
