U.S. tariffs

The actions of the U.S. administration continue to impact the global economy, including here at home. On September 8, 2026, the U.S. signed proclamations to ban the importing of certain Canadian products, including alcohol, and imposed a new 50 per cent tariff on some products. The province’s new measures include:

• all public sector entities will be directed to review their supply chains to integrate New Brunswick and Canadian products where there is an alternative
• effective Oct. 1, the provincial government will prohibit the procurement of U.S. goods or services for significant contracts (estimated value over $5 million)
• the provincial government will continue to pursue additional measures, including undertaking a legislative review to explore giving the minister of natural resources the authority to restrict the issue of fishing and hunting licences and mining claims based on certain criteria.
• NB Liquor will review its interprovincial purchasing and sales practices to identify opportunities to prioritize Canadian products
• the provincial government will release a market diversification strategy this fall and expand provincial trade missions to ensure the world can take advantage of New Brunswick’s products
• nine projects will be brought to the Canada Investment Summit next week to build a stronger New Brunswick economy
• a renewed buy-local campaign will be launched

New Brunswick businesses will have access to enhanced development support to offset costs associated with entering new markets, including in-market sales support, marketing and travel costs.

A tariff is a tax or duty imposed by a government on an imported or exported good. When used appropriately, it can be both an important source of revenue for a government and a tool to protect domestic industries from foreign competitors. Tariffs increase the price of imported goods into a country, making them less competitive compared to alternatives. 

Canada is the largest buyer of U.S. goods and services and buys more U.S. goods than China, Japan, France, and the United Kingdom combined. The relationship between New Brunswick and the U.S. is important for both parties, and we need to keep it strong and open. 

New Brunswick business owners are understandably worried about the effects these tariffs may bring. The longer these tariffs stay in place, the more likely our economy will suffer lasting damage. 

New Brunswick businesses will have access to enhanced development support to offset costs associated with entering new markets, including in-market sales support, marketing and travel costs. 

This initiative builds on Opportunities NB’s existing market development funding, which is available to support New Brunswick exporters affected by tariffs as they explore new markets. 

Support includes: 

• working capital loans of up to $5 million for businesses in impacted sectors experiencing revenue losses, increased costs or supply-chain disruptions 
• Opportunities NB has allocated up to $1 million from its market development funding to support some New Brunswick businesses impacted by the latest round of tariffs in marketing their products to New Brunswickers and Canadians. This funding is meant to help these firms grow their sales in the province and across Canada 
• Opportunities NB has supplemented working-capital loans by leveraging existing financial programs and updating policies to help businesses address tariff-related challenges, strengthen contingency planning, diversify markets and improve productivity 
• the Department of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries is supporting market diversification, with a focus on Europe and Asia, through targeted trade shows, trade missions and in-market promotions 
• the Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour, through WorkingNB, has introduced and enhanced several programs to support businesses and workers affected by tariffs. These include: 
  • Labour Force Training Program: enhanced flexibility for impacted employers through increased eligible training costs, higher funding caps and wraparound support for participants 
  • Employee Retention Support Fund: provides wage support to help employers retain staff during periods of financial strain related to tariffs, aligned with employer recovery plans 
• the Regional Development Corporation has implemented rapid-response programming, using existing programs and available federal funding to address tariff-related impacts as needed 
• the Competitiveness Support and Investment Program was established to support large, export-intensive companies facing competitive disadvantages because of tariffs, helping them maintain and grow operations in New Brunswick