The Canadian Trucking Alliance shares its opinion on a potential rate increase scheduled for February 1st

Washington, D.C. – Newly inaugurated President Donald Trump has unveiled the America First Trade Policy (AFTP), a bold move that underscores his campaign promises to address trade imbalances and protect American jobs. The announcement has sparked concerns across North America, particularly in Canada, which could be significantly impacted by the potential tariffs on goods imported from Canada and Mexico.

The AFTP outlines a comprehensive review of U.S. trade deficits, with a focus on economic and national security implications. Key measures under consideration include a global supplemental tariff, enhanced enforcement of trade regulations, and a reassessment of industrial and manufacturing vulnerabilities. The policy also ties trade to broader issues such as immigration control and border security, with potential tariffs of up to 25% on Canadian and Mexican imports as early as February 1.

Greg Arndt, Chair of the Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA), expressed concern about the repercussions:

“Twenty-five percent tariffs threaten industries and jobs on both sides of the border, particularly in the trucking sector, which is vital to Canada’s economy. We must demonstrate that a strong trade partnership with Canada supports U.S. job growth and benefits North America as a whole.”

The Canadian government, along with industry stakeholders like the CTA, is urging a cooperative response to address U.S. concerns about border security and illegal trade while protecting the deeply integrated supply chain between the two countries. CTA President Stephen Laskowski emphasized the importance of collaboration, saying,

“Doing business with Canada enhances American productivity and job creation. At the same time, Canada must show it is committed to improving border security and immigration screening to safeguard the shared supply chain.”

As February 1 approaches, Canada faces mounting pressure to negotiate solutions that preserve economic stability while addressing U.S. trade and security priorities.