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Niagara ‘preparing for the worst and hoping for the best’ as Trump’s tariffs loom large

Border area bracing for tariff impact. Pictured: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and President-elect Donald Trump. Photo Credit: Justin Trudeau/X. 

As U.S. President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office on Monday, Jan. 20, communities across Canada are bracing for unprecedented economic challenges, as the incoming president has vowed to institute 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian exports to the United States.

Preparations are underway throughout all levels of government to mitigate the far-reaching and profoundly negative effects of these punitive measures on the Canadian economy, including the potential for stimulus packages on a comparable level to the pandemic years. 

“We know something is going to happen,” Dolores Fabiano, Executive Director of the South Niagara Chamber of Commerce, said in a recent sit-down with The Niagara Independent. “But, only one person, Trump, knows exactly what he is planning.”

Fabiano celebrated the work that has been done to address Trump’s biggest concern, border security, and said we need to emphasize it. Nonetheless, she believes that the tariffs are likely to go ahead. 

“I don’t think it (avoidance of the tariffs) is going to happen,” Fabiano shared. “So, we need to focus on the work we have done (on the border), and then speak with one voice – as Canada, like the prime minister and the majority of the premiers, are doing.” 

While a tumultuous year appears increasingly likely for the nation, Fabiano is confident that Canada will come together to effectively meet the trials of this moment in time. 

“As Canadians, we have a reputation for being nice, but our kindness should not be mistaken for weakness,” she said. “We’re not going to be bullied, and we’re going to stand up for what is right… that’s the message we have to put out there.” 

“We want to work together as good neighbours, and I’m so pleased that our first responders are helping fight the fires in California… These kinds of things make me proud to be a Canadian, and they are the good relations we want to focus on and continue to build.” 

As a border region and tourist destination, Fabiano says that Niagara will continue to bring a lot to the table, even during this tense period for Canada-U.S. relations.

“The economic effect is going to impact every Canadian,” Fabiano said. “But, when you have a challenge or a crisis, as you work to mitigate the dangers, you can also focus on developing new ways of doing things.” 

“In Niagara, a lot of folks have been doing that over the past number of years, beginning during the pandemic, as we became local tourists and embarked on staycations; taking advantage of all that Niagara has to offer, while also supporting local businesses,” she continued. 

“And we have a real opportunity, here, especially with the dollar working in our favour, to invite our friends and family to come and visit Niagara, and have an experience they’ll never forget!”

Still, much uncertainty lies ahead, as Trump takes office next week, and there is now a high likelihood that in the coming months, he will be negotiating North America’s economic future with as many as three Canadian prime ministers. 

“At this point, we’re all concerned, but we don’t know, yet, how it will all play out,” Fabiano explained. “So, until we get the plan, we’re preparing for the worst and hoping for the best.”

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