On Saturday, February 1, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order imposing a 25% tariff on Canadian goods and a 10% tariff on Canadian energy. This is essentially a tax on all Canadian goods exported to the US. Canada and the U.S. have shared one of the most successful trade relationships in the world, built on decades of collaboration under agreements like the 1988 Canada-U.S. Free Trade Agreement, NAFTA, and the modernized CUSMA. This mutually beneficial trade partnership has driven investment, created jobs, and strengthened supply chains across both nations.
The Edmonton Metropolitan Region is a key driver of Canada’s economic prosperity, home to industries that are vital to both Canadian and U.S. supply chains, including energy, manufacturing, and agriculture. These tariffs will disrupt trade flows, increase costs for businesses and consumers, and create uncertainty for industries that rely on stable cross-border trade. In particular, Alberta’s energy sector—integral to North American energy security—will face new challenges that could impact investment, competitiveness, and jobs on both sides of the border.
Beyond energy, these tariffs will have significant ripple effects on the Edmonton Region’s advanced manufacturing, agri-food, and transportation sectors, all of which are deeply integrated with U.S. markets. Businesses in our region—many of which are already adapting to shifting economic conditions—now face further uncertainty in planning for growth and investment. This is why it is more important than ever to support local companies, whether through increased procurement of locally made products, strengthening regional supply chains, eliminating barriers to interprovincial trade, or exploring new market opportunities that reduce reliance on any single trade partner. By rallying behind our local businesses, we can ensure the Edmonton Region remains a competitive and thriving economic hub despite global challenges.
Edmonton Global remains committed to working alongside government, industry leaders, and trade partners to mitigate these impacts and advocate for policies that support free and fair trade. We remain focused on strengthening our international partnerships through market diversification for investments, supporting our regional companies in expanding into new markets, and working with government to enhance interprovincial trade to build long-term economic resilience.
