Tariffs - Manitoba's response

A tariff is a tax charged by the government on goods and services imported from a foreign country. Tariffs increase the price of imported goods into a country, making them less competitive compared to alternatives.

Tariffs will increase the price of Manitoba goods exported to the U.S. for American consumers. This could reduce U.S. demand for Manitoba goods and importers may look to find cheaper options. Manitoba businesses may need to adjust operations to adapt to the new market conditions.

In 2025, Canadian domestic exports to the U.S. totalled $517 billion.

In 2025, Manitoba exported $12.9 billion worth of goods to the U.S., which represented 66 per cent of total domestic exports.

The federal government has announced counter tariffs approximately $27.6 billion of Canadian goods imported to the U.S., to come into effect September 8, 2026. The tariffs will range from 15 to 50 per cent and will cover approximately 700 product lines.

The federal government has also announced measures to support Canadian workers and businesses impacted by tariffs:

• The new Large Enterprise Tariff Loan Facility (LETL) is currently accepting applications. This program will support eligible large businesses that face difficulties in accessing traditional sources of market financing.
• Duties Relief Program - Allows qualified companies to import commercial goods without paying duties, as long as those goods are eventually exported.
• Drawback Program - Helps Canadian companies compete in export markets by removing the domestic duty impact from their commercial goods.
• Remissions on Tariffs - Canadian companies can request exceptional relief from tariffs imposed as part of Canada's countermeasures, as well as any future tariff actions.
• Employment Insurance Work-Sharing Program - Special measures for the Work-Sharing Program in response to the threat or potential realization of tariffs are in effect.
• Temporary Employment Insurance measures introduced to support Canadian workers. Additional information can be found at Employment Insurance benefits - Canada.ca

On August 25, the federal government announced a $7.5-billion package to assist workers and businesses affected by the tariffs. The package includes $3.5 billion in rapid-response measures for workers and employers, $2 billion for the Canada Strong Diversification Fund, and additional financing through regional development agencies and the Business Development Bank of Canada.

Key measures include:

• Extending the temporary Employment Insurance measure that waives the one-week waiting period for another year.
• Extending the measure allowing workers to receive Employment Insurance without first using separation payments, such as severance or vacation pay.
• Extending the temporary provision giving eligible long-tenured workers an additional 20 weeks of Employment Insurance benefits.
• Introducing a temporary measure allowing workers who voluntarily left a job to access Employment Insurance without penalty where their most recent job loss was through no fault of their own.
• Expanding job-matching supports through Job Bank, including opportunities connected to major projects, housing and defence procurement.
• Establishing a Workforce Retention and Retraining Program combining the EI Work-Sharing Program and Worker Retention Grant.
• Providing employers with up to C$1,000 per employee for training and administration associated with work-sharing and retention measures.

For more information, visit: Support for Canadian businesses and workers - Canada.ca.

Canada is also taking steps to secure our border as outlined in the border plan available at: Securing the Canada-U.S. Border: Actions and Outcomes to Date - Canada.ca.

Additional information about the lists of U.S. goods and commodities that would be subject tocountermeasures, is available at: Complete list of U.S. products subject to counter tariffs.

For broader information on Canada's response to U.S. tariffs, including support measures for workers and businesses, visit Canada's Response to U.S. Tariffs.

Chinese tariffs continue to affect certain Canadian agricultural exports. As of March 2026, Canada suspended tariffs on canola meal, peas, lobster, and crab until the end of 2026. Tariffs on some products remain in place. For more information, please see the Trade Commissioner Service resource on Doing Business in China.

The Trade Commissioner Service (TCS) of Global Affairs Canada (GAC) has launched new tools to help Canadian exporters navigate CUSMA compliance. Companies can contact the support line at 1-833-760-1167 or visit the following for further information:

• Understanding CUSMA/USMCA compliance
• Step-by-step guide to CUSMA compliance

To ensure your product meets the CUSMA rules of origin and to complete a certification of origin, you will need to:

• Determine your product's Harmonized System (HS) code.
• Determine if your good meets the rules of origin (product specific rules of origin are written based on HS codes).
• Complete a certification of origin (there is no requirement for this information to be provided on a specific form. It may be provided on an invoice or any other document.)
• Consider using a template certificate to avoid errors.
• Provide the certification of origin to your U.S. importer so they can claim the preferential tariff treatment.
• Request an advance ruling for certainty about how the good will be treated upon entry into the U.S.
• Contact a certified customs broker for additional support:
• For a directory of Customs Brokers in the U.S: Permitted Customs Brokers Listing | U.S. Customs and Border Protection
• For a directory of Customs Brokers in Canada: Customs Broker Search | CSCB National Office

Additional information about Canada's response including a list of goods subject to import tariffs is available at: Canada's response to U.S. tariffs - Canada.ca.

Tariff regulations, policies and procedures are established and enforced by the Government of Canada. For further assistance with your inquiry, contact Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), by telephone at 1-800-461-9999 or the Client support contact form.

Tariffs are a federal responsibility, as they are taxes placed on imported or exported goods crossing international borders.

In response to the tariffs situation, the Manitoba government is proactively meeting with U.S. federal and state officials, labour groups and industry leaders to emphasize the importance of free and unimpeded trade between our countries.

The Manitoba government is implementing a program allowing businesses to defer provincially administered tax payments such as Retail Sales Tax and Health and Post Secondary Education Tax Levy payments from September 1 to December 31, 2026.

Manitoba is strengthening supports for businesses seeking new opportunities beyond the U.S. market by enhancing Trade and Export Diversification Supports. This includes enhanced export support and incoming buyer programming, export readiness, business to business connections and interprovincial trade missions.

Manitoba is a leader in Canada on internal trade and continues to look for opportunities to further reduce interprovincial trade barriers. Manitoba led all provinces and territories in the Canadian Federation of Independent Business' (CFIB) 2026 internal trade report card with the highest grade of A+. Manitoba is working closely with federal, provincial, and territorial governments to protect the Canadian economy and workforce by exploring ways to further reduce interprovincial trade barriers.

We are also partnering with industry organizations to attract foreign investment to the province and diversify export markets, while also developing tariff response support and programming for businesses affected by tariffs.

The Canada Manitoba Workforce Tariff Response Program is a three year, $18.2 million investment from the Government of Canada that supports businesses, employers, and workers that are directly or indirectly affected by tariffs–including those in steel, softwood lumber, and other impacted sectors.

Manitobans can access these supports through any of Manitoba's 12 Manitoba Jobs and Skills Development Centres which provide employment and training services across the province. Career development professionals are available to help individuals navigate career transitions, access skills training and explore opportunities. Additional services are also available through partnerships with community-based organizations and training providers.

To find the Centre nearest you, visit: Manitoba Jobs and Skills Development Centres

The Manitoba government has also announced the Youth Employment Program which will support the next generation of workers during a period of trade and economic uncertainty. This program will create employment opportunities for students, recent graduates, first-time labour market entrants and youth seeking to re-attach to the labour market.

The federal government have expanded supports for workers and employers:

• New Employment Insurance Measures expand EI eligibility, extend benefits, and speed up access to support. Find out more at: Employment Insurance benefits - Canada.ca
• Special Measures for Work-Sharing Program that expand program eligibility and extend benefits period. Find out more at: Work-Sharing Program - Overview - Canada.ca

The Workforce Stabilization Program will help Manitoba employers retain workers during a period of trade and economic uncertainty. Targeted wage subsidies are available for eligible private sector employers affected by tariffs and related economic disruptions.

The Manitoba government can assist workers prior to a layoff. Employers can reach out to the Manitoba Jobs and Skills Development Centres nearest them to speak with a representative, who will assess the situation and provide appropriate support.

To find the Centre nearest you, visit: Manitoba Jobs and Skills Development Centres

The de minimis tax exemption or the duty free de minimis treatment is a law that allows low-value shipments sent to American businesses and consumers, to enter the U.S. free of duty and taxes. Shipments valued at US$800 or less could enter the United States tax-free. The U.S administration is suspending the duty-free de minimis treatment for low-value shipments, effective August 29, 2025.

Goods shipped through the international postal system will be assessed and charged either

1. Ad valorem duty: The tariff rate applicable to the country of origin of the product.
2. Specific duty: A duty ranging from $80 per item to $200 per item, depending on the tariff rate for the country of origin of the product. This option will be available for six months after which the ad valorem duty would be charged. 

• Implementing a three-year $18.2 million Canada-Manitoba Workforce Tariff Response Program to support workers, businesses and communities directly and indirectly impacted by tariffs, including steel, softwood lumber and other sectors. The program helps affected workers access training, build new skills and support employers to remain competitive and adapt to global trade conditions.
• The Youth Employment Program will support the next generation of workers during a period of trade and economic uncertainty. This program will create employment opportunities for students, recent graduates, first-time labour market entrants and youth seeking to re-attach to the labour market.
• Signing new economic co-operation agreements with the governments of Ontario, New Brunswick, Saskatchewan, British Columbia and Prince Edward Island to increase labour mobility and create new opportunities for businesses and workers across Canada.
• Connecting with businesses and workers through a dedicated hotline to provide information and assistance about the tariffs. Contact us at 204-945-8011 or toll-free at 1-877-827-4330 (1-877-TARIFF-0) within Manitoba.

• The Manitoba Trade Resilience Loan Program, designed to help Manitoba businesses navigate trade uncertainty with access to repayable, low-interest working capital financing of up to $1 million with flexible repayment terms.
• Enhanced Trade and Export Diversification Supports to strengthen supports for businesses seeking new opportunities beyond the U.S. market.
• Wage subsidies to keep workers in their jobs and keep Manitoba businesses going, and help support the next generation of workers through the Workforce Stabilization and Youth Employment Program.
• Enhancements to the MASC Loan Guarantee Program to respond to tariff-related pressures facing producers and agri-food businesses. This will help eligible businesses manage cash flow pressures, maintain operations, support working capital needs and continue investment in production, processing and market opportunities.
• Working with honey producers to develop and implement targeted, sector-specific supports.
• Implementing tax deferral measures on provincially administered taxes to assist Manitoba businesses harmed by trade tariffs.
• Implementing a three-year $18.2 million Canada-Manitoba Workforce Tariff Response Program to support workers, businesses and communities directly and indirectly impacted by tariffs, including steel, softwood lumber and other sectors. The program helps affected workers access training, build new skills and support employers to remain competitive and adapt to global trade conditions.
• Signing an agreement with Saskatchewan and Arctic Gateway Group to enhance infrastructure, streamline supply chains and boost access to global markets via Canada's only deepwater Arctic port.
• Investing $87.5M to support the Arctic Gateway Group, with funding directed toward essential port upgrades and infrastructure improvements and maintenance.
• Signing new economic co-operation agreements with the governments of Ontario, New Brunswick, Saskatchewan, British Columbia and Prince Edward Island to increase labour mobility and create new opportunities for businesses and workers across Canada.
• Passing Bill 47, the Fair Trade in Canada Act on June 2, 2025, to eliminate interprovincial trade barriers for goods and services.
• Partnering with Western provinces, under the New West Partnership Trade Agreement, to increase the harmonization of standards and licensing requirements, simplify interprovincial trade, and lower costs for both businesses and consumers.
• Working with business and industry groups to understand the supports needed in the short and long term as details of federal supports become available.
• Tax deferrals for businesses until October, 2025. Find out more at: www.manitoba.ca/finance/taxation/.
• Exploring opportunities to diversify trade nationally and internationally.
• Meeting regularly to seek the advice of the U.S. Trade Council that includes diverse representation from a wide range of business and industry groups and sectors: Manitoba Government Forms U.S. Trade Council to Prepare for Potential Tariffs
• Established a Washington trade office, led by Richard Madan.
• Connecting with businesses and workers through a dedicated hotline to provide information and assistance about the tariffs. Contact us at 204-945-8011 or toll-free at 1-877-827-4330 (1-877-TARIFF-0) within Manitoba.
• Increasing security at the border by deploying more armed conservation officers to conduct additional patrols.
• Working with federal, provincial and territorial governments to reduce internal trade barriers.
• Investing $36.4M over two years to revitalize the Port of Churchill and further strengthen and diversify our provincial economy. A fully refurbished Hudson Bay Railway and Port of Churchill will allow us to bolster trade ties with Nunavut and Europe and ship more Manitoba critical minerals, agricultural products, and energy to tidewater.
• Providing farmers and agriculture producers with more than $150 million in support for the agricultural sector, including $10 million in additional matching funds for the AgriStability program and $140.8 million for business risk management programming including AgriInsurance, Wildlife Damage Compensation and AgriInvest.
• Investing up to $1.5 million in grant funding to the Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) to develop a made-in-Manitoba program that will offer tariff response support and programming for Manitoba manufacturers that may be impacted by the tariffs. Manitoba Government Announces Made-In-Manitoba Program to Help Address Trump Tariffs.
• Strengthening interprovincial trade by working closely with federal, provincial, and territorial governments under the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA). Manitoba has long been a leader in reducing interprovincial trade barriers, as demonstrated by our top ranking in the Canadian Federation of Independent Business' (CFIB) 2026 internal trade report card with an A+ grade.
• Providing $1 million through the Export Support Program to support small and medium-sized companies to participate in trade shows, market material translation, trade preparedness training, and market research.

• Encouraging Manitobans to support local businesses through the Support Manitoba. Buy Local campaign.
• Prioritizing domestic products by having Manitoba Liquor Marts no longer sell or import wine, beer and liquor from the U.S. This decision removes approximately $80 million annually from the U.S. economy.
• Prioritizing Canadian suppliers by amending the Government Purchases Act. Under the Buy Canadian Act, the province may give preferential treatment to Canadian suppliers when purchasing goods.
• Increasing security at the border by deploying more armed conservation officers to conduct additional patrols.
• Investing up to $1.5 million in grant funding to the Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) to develop a made-in-Manitoba program that will offer tariff response support and programming for Manitoba manufacturers that may be impacted by the tariffs. Manitoba Government Announces Made-In-Manitoba Program to Help Address Trump Tariffs.
• Strengthening interprovincial trade by working closely with federal, provincial, and territorial governments under the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA). Manitoba has long been a leader in reducing interprovincial trade barriers, as demonstrated by our top ranking in the Canadian Federation of Independent Business' (CFIB) 2026 internal trade report card with an A+ grade.
• Providing $1 million through the Export Support Program to support small and medium-sized companies to participate in trade shows, market material translation, trade preparedness training, and market research.