(TRI-CITIES) February 3, 2025 — 4 PM UPDATE: A 30-day pause on U.S. tariffs has been announced. Read the Canadian Chamber of Commerce statement on the tariff delay here.
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The Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce is deeply concerned about the impact of the newly announced U.S. tariffs on businesses in our communities and across the country. These tariffs pose significant challenges to our local industries, supply chains, and economic growth, affecting everything from manufacturing to small businesses that rely on cross-border trade.
"Many of our local businesses thrive on strong economic partnerships with the United States, and these destructive tariffs will hinder investment, raise costs for consumers, and reduce competitiveness for companies operating in the Tri-Cities. We urge both the Canadian and U.S. governments to work toward a resolution that supports free and fair trade, ensuring that businesses on both sides of the border can continue to grow and succeed," said Leslie Courchesne, CEO, Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce.
"Until we can make President Trump and U.S. decision makers understand the enormity of the Canada-U.S. relationship, Canada needs to focus on what we can control here at home to build a more resilient economy and restore as much stability to Canadians as possible. If we can’t trade south, let’s diversify our trading partners and dismantle unnecessary internal trade barriers to keep goods and services flowing north, east, and west. A strong, united, and competitive Canadian economy will thrive no matter what gets thrown our way," said Candace Laing, President and CEO, Canadian Chamber of Commerce.
Together with the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and BC Chamber of Commerce, the Tri-Cities Chamber remains committed to advocating for our members and will engage with policymakers to mitigate the negative effects of these tariffs. We encourage businesses impacted by these changes to reach out to us so we can provide support, resources, and a collective voice in addressing these concerns.
Read the full statement from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce >
Read the full statement from the BC Chamber of Commerce >
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Since 1971, the Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce has been the largest business association serving Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Anmore, and Belcarra, now representing 1,300+ organizations from every sector. The Chamber works to foster economic development, provide connections and benefits, and influence public policy at all levels of government to ensure strong business and strong communities. The Tri-Cities Chamber is an active member of the BC and Canadian Chambers of Commerce.
For more information, contact:
Leslie Courchesne, Chief Executive Officer
Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce
ceo@tricitieschamber.com
604.468.6870