Anxious Canadian firms bet Trump will buckle ahead of 50% tariff deadline

Montréal – Industry insiders reveal firms are opting to wait and see as the clock ticks down on President Donald Trump's latest tariff deadline, instead of rushing shipments across the border to make the deadline. A new round of 50 percent tariffs, amounting to nearly US$20 billion worth of Canadian goods, including dairy and down jackets, is due to kick in on Aug.

19. Unlike most of Trump's other tariffs, these duties will not exempt goods complying with the Canada-U.S.-Mexico trade agreement, known as CUSMA. Despite this, Janine Harker, head of the Canadian Society of Customs Brokers, notes businesses are avoiding front-loading their shipments and are now adopting a "watchful waiting" approach.

Companies are cautiously watching to see if Trump adheres to his reputation for bluffing or backing down on tariff promises, leading to the acronym TACO - Trump Always Chickens Out. Last summer, retailers and exporters worldwide rushed to meet U.S. tariff deadlines, but experts suggest Canadian shippers are now more accustomed to trade turmoil, preparing for potential financial consequences. This report was originally published on Aug. 14, 2026.