The Saint John Region Chamber of Commerce is warning that U.S. tariffs on Canadian steel, aluminum, paper, and softwood lumber will hurt everyday businesses in Quispamsis and the Kennebecasis Valley, not just big exporters. In a new policy statement titled Holding Firm. Building Stronger., the chamber says small and medium-sized businesses will face higher costs, inflation, disrupted supply chains, and weaker consumer confidence.
“The impact will not be just large exporters. It will reach everyday main street,” the chamber says. For New Brunswick, that exposure is significant because more than 90% of the province’s international exports go to the United States.
The warning comes after Prime Minister Mark Carney suspended trade negotiations with the U.S. on August 22, 2026, citing American demands that were unfair and uneconomic. Canada’s counter-tariffs on $27.6 billion worth of U.S. products took effect on September 8, 2026, with rates matching U.S. tariffs. On September 10, New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt announced the province will bar American goods and services from contracts over $5 million starting October 1 and urged public institutions to buy Canadian.
The chamber’s statement calls on businesses and all levels of government to protect existing trade relationships, expand into new international markets, and remove internal trade barriers. For Quispamsis residents, the practical message is to support local businesses now, as rising costs and supply chain disruptions may lead to higher prices and job losses.
The federal government has announced a $7.5 billion support package for Canadian workers and businesses affected by tariffs, including $3.5 billion for worker supports and $2 billion for a diversification fund. The Saint John Region Chamber of Commerce, which has served the area for over 200 years, encourages the community to shop local and stay informed as the trade dispute continues.
