As U.S. President Donald Trump pushes ahead with expanded tariffs on Canadian goods, local business owners and a trade experts are preparing for wide-ranging effects, from agriculture and automotive to small-scale maple syrup producers and independent retailers. Kyle Peacock, founder of Peacock Tariff Consulting in Orillia, anticipates sectors that Simcoe Muskoka is most known for to be the most impacted. “This is all-inclusive across the board. This is going to affect everyone in everyday life,” said Peacock. Peacock noted no industry would be left untouched. “The U.S. is one of our major markets for maple syrup,” he added. “With this increase, we will see that the U.S. markets (will) source non-Ontario, non-Simcoe County maple syrup.” Michele O’Sullivan, co-owner of Hutchinson Maple Syrup in the Township of Oro-Medonte, fears the trickle-down effect of her fellow larger producers being deterred from exporting south. “If that supply is not going down to the States, the market here is likely going to be flooded,” said O’Sullivan. “Who knows what that’s going to do to the smaller producer.” Peacock said price hikes on imported goods are also inevitable, with costs set to climb on everything from grocery store fruits and vegetables to goods from local businesses. “Anything that is purchased from the U.S., you’ll see a significant increase,” he stated. Greg Czetwerzuk, founder of his ‘Bean Around The Block’ mobile coffee business, imports his coffee beans from South America, but they must make a stop in the U.S., making them vulnerable to tariff spikes. “It really affects the ingredient cost and the supply chain network that I can use,” said Czetwerzuk. ”It’s already had an impact of about 25 per cent year-to-date.” In Barrie, the Chamber of Commerce is helping local business by appealing to their trade partners in Harrogate, England, Barrie’s sister city. “We almost immediately had about 40 businesses that connected with us,” said Paul Markle, Barrie Chamber of Commerce CEO. ”That kind of response is significant with one email.” “A lot of clients are fed up with the yo-yo of tariffs on, tariffs off,” added Peacock. “Now it’s time to act.” For some, that means sourcing to other markets outside the U.S. for businesses that have not already done so. Peacock also mentions businesses turning to opportunities that are strong within Simcoe County, such as in labour, manufacturing and skilled trades.
