{"id":14907,"date":"2025-01-30T18:15:07","date_gmt":"2025-01-30T18:15:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/torontotribune.ca\/index.php\/2025\/01\/30\/trump-tariff-threats-put-a-lot-of-fog-ahead-of-canadas-small-businesses-national\/"},"modified":"2025-01-30T18:15:07","modified_gmt":"2025-01-30T18:15:07","slug":"trump-tariff-threats-put-a-lot-of-fog-ahead-of-canadas-small-businesses-national","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/torontotribune.ca\/index.php\/2025\/01\/30\/trump-tariff-threats-put-a-lot-of-fog-ahead-of-canadas-small-businesses-national\/","title":{"rendered":"Trump tariff threats put \u2018a lot of fog\u2019 ahead of Canada\u2019s small businesses – National"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n<\/p>\n

\n

The threat of tariffs from the United States coming as early as Saturday is stirring concern among Canada\u2019s small business<\/a> community, particularly for firms who export goods outside the country.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Small businesses have largely lost confidence since November, the month when U.S. President Donald Trump won re-election, according to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB).<\/p>\n

The small business advocacy group published its latest Business Barometer on Thursday, a survey of member organizations that offers a broad gauge of business confidence. The latest report captures feelings of more than 1,000 small businesses surveyed online between Jan. 7 and 14.<\/p>\n

The CFIB said its indicator for business optimism had declined for a second month in a row, dropping the index down to 54.6 and marking a loss of five points since November.<\/p>\n

The decline in confidence was particularly pronounced among exporting small businesses, who reported an 8.1 point drop over the past two months.<\/p>\n

\n

Story continues below advertisement<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

\n
\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Click
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

The latest readings come as the Trump administration maintains a threat to impose blanket tariffs of up to 25 per cent<\/a> on Canadian goods entering the U.S. as of Feb. 1.<\/p>\n

\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\"For\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n
\n

Get breaking National news<\/h3>\n

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Recent weeks have also seen political turmoil bubble up in Canada, with the announced resignation of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau triggering a race to replace him as Liberal leader as Parliament is prorogued.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe threat of upcoming U.S. tariffs and political changes in Canada have installed a lot of fog in front of the windshield,\u201d said Simon Gaudreault, CFIB\u2019s chief economist and vice-president of research, in a statement.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur economy is already paying the price of this lack of direction. The uncertainty is making it harder for businesses to plan ahead and make critical decisions, such as hiring or investment.\u201d<\/p>\n