The Barrie Chamber of Commerce welcomes the recent 30-day delay in the implementation of the proposed 25 per cent U.S. tariffs on Canadian products.
CEO Paul Markle says nobody thinks tariffs are a good idea and that it's going to have a positive outcome for consumers and businesses.
In a statement, Markle said if these tariffs take effect, they will pose significant challenges for businesses, workers, and families in Barrie and across the country.
But the tariff threat has also brought to the forefront issues the chamber and other business organizations have talked about previously.
Markle told Barrie 360 that inter-provincial trade barriers are a problem.
"If we have products flowing east and west, a lot of the impact of not being able to move goods south becomes less of a problem. Strengthening our internal supply chains is critically important to making sure we are creating an economy that is more tariff-proof than it is now."
Markle added that if there is any positive outcome from the tariff threat is that Canada is stronger together and policy makers are paying attention.
He tells Barrie 360 that when purchasing Canadian, it is important to keep those dollars grounded so it drives the economy.
"Just because a local business has nothing but American products doesn't mean you shouldn't do business with them. That guy still has to feed his family, and he has employees."
When Markle thinks about hitting the brakes on purchasing American, he says it's putting money across the border by using Amazon and services like it.
The chamber will be doing a survey soon to gather data from local businesses as to what the impact of the tariff situation will be on them.
"The next 30 days will determine whether businesses face new obstacles or if diplomatic efforts can prevent them," the statement from the chamber reads. "Regardless of the outcome, supporting Canadian businesses remains essential to long-term economic strength."
