Arabic version: كندا تحذر من أن عدم اليقين بشأن الرسوم الجمركية يرفع تكاليف الاستثمار
According to Cnbc, Canada’s ambassador to the United States, Mark Wiseman, said uncertainty surrounding President Donald Trump’s tariffs is increasing the cost of capital and discouraging businesses from expanding. Speaking Wednesday at the B20 summit in Washington, hosted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Wiseman said greater certainty makes companies more likely to build plants, add shifts and spend on research and development.
Washington and Ottawa are seeking to resolve a tariff dispute affecting a major trading relationship. The United States and Canada exchanged roughly $570 billion in goods in the first nine months of 2026, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. That was higher than the same period in 2025, but below the comparable nine-month periods during the previous three years. U.S. customs duties on imports from Canada reached $10 billion in 2025, compared with $400 million in 2024, according to the Congressional Research Service.
An October study by New York Fed researchers found that nearly 90% of tariff costs were passed on to U.S. importers. About a quarter of tariff increases eventually reached consumer-goods prices, with further price pressures expected in 2027. The findings followed Labor Department data showing consumer prices rose 0.4% in October, higher than expected.
Trump has said tariffs are needed to protect U.S. manufacturers and workers, while accusing Canada of discriminatory trade practices. The governments resumed negotiations after talks collapsed in August, focusing on reducing tariffs on Canadian steel and automobiles. Trump has imposed duties of up to 50% on certain Canadian products, leading to retaliatory measures targeting billions of dollars in U.S. exports. Wiseman called for removing tariffs imposed under Sections 232 and 338, saying a resolution would support long-term investment decisions. Democrats are preparing to challenge the tariffs when they take control of Congress in January.
