**Saint John Region Chamber of Commerce Calls for a Unified, Strategic Response to U.S. Trade Measures**
*Saint John, N.B.* – The Saint John Region Chamber of Commerce, representing businesses across the Saint John area, has issued a statement supporting Prime Minister Mark Carney’s position that Canada should not accept any trade agreement “at any price.” The Chamber’s statement, authored by its chief executive officer Shannon Merrifield, emphasizes the need for a disciplined and coordinated approach to the ongoing trade tensions with the United States.
The Chamber notes that while the Canada‑U.S.‑Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) remains in effect and continues to provide tariff‑free access for many Canadian products—including petroleum and aquaculture—to the U.S. market, the United States has imposed separate tariffs on several key sectors. Those sectors include steel, aluminum, paper and softwood lumber. Because more than 90 percent of New Brunswick’s international exports are destined for the United States, the Chamber says the tariffs “represent a significant exposure” for the province’s economy.
Merrifield warned that the impact of the tariffs will extend beyond large exporters to “everyday Main Street,” affecting small and medium‑sized enterprises that may face higher input costs, inflationary pressures, disrupted supply chains and reduced consumer confidence. She cited examples such as contractors purchasing steel or aluminum, retailers importing inventory, restaurants coping with rising food costs, and creative businesses needing framing and packaging materials.
The Chamber’s statement calls for a response “grounded in resilience” rather than “fear or rhetoric.” It urges the federal and provincial governments to provide timely assistance where tariffs cause direct harm, accelerate internal trade reforms, and invest in infrastructure that enhances competitiveness. The Chamber also encourages businesses to identify vulnerabilities in their supply chains and explore Canadian suppliers or new export markets to mitigate reliance on the United States.
According to the statement, the Saint John region possesses strategic assets that can support a broader national effort. These assets include one of Canada’s major deep‑water ports, significant energy and industrial infrastructure, established manufacturing capabilities, and a long history of moving Canadian products to global markets.
Merrifield concluded that the current trade dispute presents an opportunity to “emerge from this period with a stronger domestic economy, more diversified markets and greater confidence in our ability to stand together when our interests are tested.” She referenced historical challenges such as the end of the Corn Laws, the two World Wars and the Great Depression, suggesting that the region’s past adaptability can inform its future response.
The Chamber’s position reflects a broader call for national and local unity, with governments, businesses, institutions and consumers all playing a role in mitigating the effects of the tariffs and strengthening Canada’s economic resilience.
*Source: Saint John Region Chamber of Commerce, opinion piece titled “Opinion: Holding firm and building stronger in trade war.”*
Article and image source: tj.news
