SURREY BOARD OF TRADE CALLS FOR FEDERAL ACTION ON US TARIFFS

“Surrey has many aluminum manufacturing businesses, and this news is devastating,” said Jasroop Gosal, Interim Spokesperson and Policy and Research Manager of the Surrey Board of Trade. “We need the Canadian Government to immediately engage with the US Government to resolve this issue. Instead of being caught in these distractions, our governments should be working collaboratively through the G7, G20, OECD and WTO to address the root issue of distortive industrial subsidies. We need cooperation in times of economic uncertainty, not trade hinderances. These tariffs will only exacerbate disruptions to North American supply chains.”

Surrey’s robust manufacturing sector, which employs thousands of workers, depends on exports of aluminum and steel.

The tariff will lead to higher input costs for US manufacturers, reduce competitiveness, and lead to potential job losses. Additionally, industries such as construction and infrastructure development will face price increases, affecting housing affordability and major projects.

Surrey and White Rock businesses that trade with the United States are asked to complete a short survey. The information collected will be shared with local, provincial, federal, and international levels of government and will arm the Surrey Board of Trade and South Surrey & White Rock Chamber of Commerce to better stand up for local businesses.

This input will guide Surrey Board of Trade and South Surrey & White Rock Chamber of Commerce advocacy efforts, including cross-border business engagement and federal policy recommendations to mitigate tariff impacts.

CALL TO ACTION:

The Surrey Board of Trade and South Surrey & White Rock Chamber of Commerce call on the federal and provincial governments to:

• Protect businesses by halting all taxation changes that would deter business growth;
• Immediately freeze all regulatory changes on industry that would add cost and red tape; and,
• Implement a strategic plan to ensure that businesses in the South Fraser Economic Region, which are particularly vulnerable to these tariffs as a result of the industries and proximity to the border, are provided with greater international trade support through the Surrey Board of Trade’s International Trade Centre.