tariffresponse



On this page:




Overview


Our government is protecting Manitoba jobs and businesses in our province against President Trump's tariff tax, which undermines our sovereignty and economic security. We're also taking action to support the agriculture sector in the face of Chinese tariffs on pork and canola.

At the national level, Manitoba is committed to a 'Team Canada' approach to tariffs and is working closely with federal, provincial and territorial partners to protect businesses and workers, advocate for fair trade, reduce internal trade barriers and keep costs affordable for families.

  • The U.S. Administration has increased the tariffs on all goods that are not compliant with the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement from 25 per cent to 35 per cent, with effect from August 1, 2025.
  • The U.S administration also suspended the duty-free de minimis exemption for low-value commercial shipments, effective August 29, 2025. Imported goods valued at or under $800,  which would usually qualify for the de minimis exemption, will be subject existing duties. Under the exemptions, individuals can still receive gifts valued under US$100.
  • The Manitoba government is reducing interprovincial trade barriers with the passage of Bill 47, the Fair Trade in Canada Act on June 2, 2025. The passing of Bill 47 aligns with the federal government’s goal of free trade across the country by Canada Day (July 1). 
Current U.S. Tariffs
  • 35 percent on all goods that are not CUSMA compliant.
  • 50 per cent on steel and aluminum, implemented June 4.
  • 25 per cent on autos that are not CUSMA compliant, in effect April 3.
  • 25 per cent on the value of non-U.S. content of autos and auto parts, in effect by May 3 pending development of a process to determine that value.
  • 25 per cent on all other goods that are not CUSMA compliant and 10 per cent on potash and energy that are not CUSMA compliant, implemented March 4.
Current Canadian Tariffs
  • 25 per cent on U.S.-made vehicles, excluding CUSMA compliant vehicles/vehicle parts, effective April 9.
  • 25 per cent on an additional $29.8 billion worth of U.S. imports, effective March 13, in response to the U.S. steel and aluminum tariffs.
  • 25 per cent on $30 billion worth of U.S. imports, effective March 4.

For information about Canada's proposed counter-tariff response, including a list of U.S. goods and commodities subject to import tariffs, visit Canada's response to U.S. tariffs - Canada.ca




FAQs


A tariff is a tax charged by the government on goods and services imported from a foreign country. Tariffs increase the price of imported goods into a country, making them less competitive compared to alternatives.

Tariffs will increase the price of Manitoba goods exported to the U.S. for American consumers. This could reduce U.S. demand for Manitoba goods and importers may look to find cheaper options. Manitoba businesses may need to adjust operations to adapt to the new market conditions.

In 2024, Canadian domestic exports to the U.S. totalled $547 billion.

Manitoba exported $14.5 billion worth of goods to the U.S., which represented 70 per cent of total domestic exports.

The federal government implemented a 25 per cent retaliatory tariff on $30 billion worth of goods and commodities imported from the U.S., followed by an additional $29.8 billion on U.S. imports in response to U.S. steel and aluminum tariffs. Canada is considering further retaliatory tariffs.

The federal government has also announced measures to support Canadian workers and businesses impacted by tariffs:

For more information, visit: Support for Canadian businesses and workers - Canada.ca.

Canada is also taking steps to secure our border as outlined in the border plan available at: Securing the Canada-U.S. Border: Actions and Outcomes to Date - Canada.ca.

Additional information about the lists of U.S. goods and commodities that would be subject to import tariffs, is available at: Canada's response to U.S. tariffs - Canada.ca.

For the federal government's list of products affected, visit: Canada's response to U.S. tariffs - Canada.ca.

Current Canadian Tariffs

China announced tariffs on March 8, 2025, affecting over $2.6 billion worth of Canadian agricultural products with a 100 per cent tariff on canola oil, canola cake and peas and a 25 per cent tariff on aquatic products and pork. These tariffs came into force on March 20, 2025.

The Trade Commissioner Service (TCS) of Global Affairs Canada (GAC) has launched new tools to help Canadian exporters navigate CUSMA compliance. Companies can contact the support line at 1-833-760-1167 or visit the following for further information:

To ensure your product meets the CUSMA rules of origin and to complete a certification of origin, you will need to:

Additional information about Canada's response including a list of goods subject to import tariffs is available at: Canada's response to U.S. tariffs - Canada.ca.

Tariff regulations, policies and procedures are established and enforced by the Government of Canada. For further assistance with your inquiry, contact Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), by telephone at 1-800-461-9999 or the Client support contact form.

Tariffs are a federal responsibility, as they are taxes placed on imported or exported goods crossing international borders.

In response to the tariffs situation, the Manitoba government is proactively meeting with U.S. federal and state officials, labour groups and industry leaders to emphasize the importance of free and unimpeded trade between our countries.

The Manitoba government has extended tax payment deadlines. Due to the impacts of tariffs imposed on Canadian exports to the U.S., all businesses are eligible for an interest and penalty-free payment deferral of retail sales tax (RST) Health and Post Secondary Education Tax Levy (HE Levy) return remittances until June 20, 2025. The deferral is for the February, March and April 2025 return periods. More information is available at https://www.manitoba.ca/finance/taxation/.

Manitoba is a leader in Canada on internal trade and continues to look for opportunities to further reduce interprovincial trade barriers. Manitoba led all provinces and territories in the Canadian Federation of Independent Business' (CFIB) 2024 internal trade report card with the highest grade of A-. Manitoba is working closely with federal, provincial, and territorial governments to protect the Canadian economy and workforce by exploring ways to further reduce interprovincial trade barriers.

We are also partnering with industry organizations to attract foreign investment to the province and diversify export markets, while also developing tariff response support and programming for businesses affected by tariffs.

The federal government has committed to:

  1. Providing supports for affected workers through the Employment Insurance system. The New Employment Insurance Measures expand EI eligibility, extend benefits, and speed up access to support. Find out more at: Employment Insurance benefits - Canada.ca
  2. Special Measures for Work-Sharing Program that expand program eligibility and extend benefits period. Find out more at: Work-Sharing Program - Overview - Canada.ca
  3. The Manitoba government administers a range of supports to help Manitobans with preparing for, finding, and keeping employment. A wide range of services are available at 12 Manitoba Jobs and Skills Development Centres across the province and through partnerships with community-based organizations and training providers.

Career development professionals are available to support workers with career transition planning, accessing skills training, and finding job opportunities.

To find the Centre nearest you, visit: Manitoba Jobs and Skills Development Centres

The Manitoba government can assist workers prior to a layoff. Employers can reach out to the Manitoba Jobs and Skills Development Centres nearest them to speak with a representative, who will assess the situation and provide appropriate support.

To find the Centre nearest you, visit: Manitoba Jobs and Skills Development Centres

The de minimis tax exemption or the duty free de minimis treatment is a law that allows low-value shipments sent to American businesses and consumers, to enter the U.S. free of duty and taxes. Shipments valued at US$800 or less could enter the United States tax-free. The U.S administration is suspending the duty-free de minimis treatment for low-value shipments, effective August 29, 2025.

Goods shipped through the international postal system will be assessed and charged either

  1. Ad valorem duty: The tariff rate applicable to the country of origin of the product.
  2. Specific duty: A duty ranging from $80 per item to $200 per item, depending on the tariff rate for the country of origin of the product. This option will be available for six months after which the ad valorem duty would be charged. 



Safeguarding Manitoba jobs and businesses


We're protecting your jobs and strengthening our economy by:

  • Signing an agreement with Saskatchewan and Arctic Gateway Group to enhance infrastructure, streamline supply chains and boost access to global markets via Canada’s only deepwater Arctic port.
  • Signing new economic co-operation agreements with the governments of Ontario, New Brunswick, Saskatchewan, British Columbia and Prince Edward Island to increase labour mobility and create new opportunities for businesses and workers across Canada.
  • Passing Bill 47, the Fair Trade in Canada Act on June 2, 2025, to eliminate interprovincial trade barriers for goods and services.
  • Partnering with Western provinces, under the New West Partnership Trade Agreement, to increase the harmonization of standards and licensing requirements, simplify interprovincial trade, and lower costs for both businesses and consumers.
  • Working with business and industry groups to understand the supports needed in the short and long term as details of federal supports become available.
  • Tax deferrals for businesses until June 20, 2025. Find out more at: https://www.manitoba.ca/finance/taxation/.
  • Exploring opportunities to diversify trade nationally and internationally.
  • Meeting regularly to seek the advice of the U.S. Trade Council that includes diverse representation from a wide range of business and industry groups and sectors: Manitoba Government Forms U.S. Trade Council to Prepare for Potential Tariffs
  • Connecting with businesses and workers through a dedicated hotline to provide information and assistance about the tariffs. Contact us at 204-945-8011 or toll-free at 1-877-827-4330 (1-877-TARIFF-0) within Manitoba.
  • Encouraging Manitobans to support local businesses through the Support Manitoba. Buy Local campaign.
  • Prioritizing domestic products by having Manitoba Liquor Marts no longer sell or import wine, beer and liquor from the U.S. This decision removes approximately $80 million annually from the U.S. economy.
  • Prioritizing Canadian suppliers by amending the Government Purchases Act. Under the Buy Canadian Act, the province may give preferential treatment to Canadian suppliers when purchasing goods.
  • Increasing security at the border by deploying more armed conservation officers to conduct additional patrols.
  • Working with federal, provincial and territorial governments to reduce internal trade barriers.
  • Investing $36.4M over two years to revitalize the Port of Churchill and further strengthen and diversify our provincial economy. A fully refurbished Hudson Bay Railway and Port of Churchill will allow us to bolster trade ties with Nunavut and Europe and ship more Manitoba critical minerals, agricultural products, and energy to tidewater.
  • Providing farmers and agriculture producers with more than $150 million in support for the agricultural sector, including $10 million in additional matching funds for the AgriStability program and $140.8 million for business risk management programming including AgriInsurance, Wildlife Damage Compensation and AgriInvest.
  • Investing up to $1.5 million in grant funding to the Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) to develop a made-in-Manitoba program that will offer tariff response support and programming for Manitoba manufacturers that may be impacted by the tariffs. Manitoba Government Announces Made-In-Manitoba Program to Help Address Trump Tariffs.
  • More than $475 million in Budget 2025 for contingency funding to help Manitoba workers upskill and find work and support businesses as they pivot to new export markets and help our agricultural sector manage tariffs. Budget 2025 - Budget in Brief.
  • Strengthening interprovincial trade by working closely with federal, provincial, and territorial governments under the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA). Manitoba has long been a leader in reducing interprovincial trade barriers, as demonstrated by our top ranking in the Canadian Federation of Independent Business' (CFIB) 2024 internal trade report card with an A- grade.


Agricultural Supports


  • Business Risk Management Programs
    • These programs help farmers manage income declines caused by production losses, low prices, and increased input costs. Learn more about the different programs.
  • Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation (MASC) Programs
    • MASC provides support to Manitoba's agricultural community through various lending and risk management programs for new and existing clients. Learn more about the various support programs.
  • Financial Management Tools
    • These tools help famers make sound financial decisions for their farms. Learn more about the tools available.


News


Manitoba


Canada


White House Fact Sheets


Government of Canada News Sources:



Resources for businesses


Manitoba:

  • Tariff hotline: dedicated number to provide information and assistance to businesses affected by tariffs. Contact us at 204-945-8011 or toll-free at 1-877-827-4330 (1-877-TARIFF-0) within Manitoba or submit your inquiry at: U.S. Tariff Inquiries webform.
  • Interest and penalty-free deferrals of the retail sales tax and Health and Post-Secondary Education Tax Levy until June 20, 2025. Find out more at: https://www.manitoba.ca/finance/taxation/

Canada:


U.S. Customs and Border Protection:



Tariff Hotline Inquiries


Manitoba's tariff hotline is a dedicated number to provide information and assistance to businesses and workers affected by tariffs. Contact us at 204-945-8011 or toll-free at 1-877-827-4330 (1-877-TARIFF-0) within Manitoba, or submit your inquiry here.