Okay so, first of all? President Trump just, like, doubled tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum—up to 50%—like it’s no big deal? Excuse me sir, who hurt you? Because Canada’s steel industry is worth, like, $15 billion, and supports over 120,000 jobs, and now it’s basically getting ghosted by the U.S. market.
Catherine Cobden—steel queen and president of the Canadian Steel Producers Association—basically said, “This move is, like, a total breakup text. We’re being dumped by our biggest customer and we didn’t even do anything wrong.” Rude. Honestly? Canada deserves better.
And it’s not just steel. Oh no, honey—this mess is dragging everybody down: farmers, builders, factories. It’s like one of those chain-reaction TikTok fails. The Canadian Chamber of Commerce said households could end up paying, like, $1,900 more per year. That’s, like, cutting out a whole vacation and half your skincare routine.
And don’t even get me started on the housing market. The construction industry is already struggling to keep homes affordable, and now the cost of building stuff is going through the roof. Like, thanks tariffs, now we can’t afford rent or cute countertops.
But Canada’s not just sitting there crying into its Tim Hortons cup. Nope. The government pulled out its credit card and said “We gotchu.” They’re rolling out a $5 billion (with a “B”, babes) support package, including $500 million in loans and $1 billion for farmers, so businesses can go find, like, better markets where people actually appreciate them.
Small businesses, though? They’re totally stressed out. Over half of them are, like, super into U.S. trade, and now they might have to raise prices and risk losing customers. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business is like, “Umm, SOS? We’re literally just trying to survive here.”
But Canadians are kinda iconic when it comes to bouncing back. Businesses are switching up their supply chains, looking for new bae markets, and leaning hard into that “Buy Canadian” energy. Like, if it says “Made in the U.S.A.”? It’s getting a side-eye and a pass. Byeee US!
Still, the vibes are shaky. Uncertainty is the new black, and everyone’s walking on economic eggshells. But if anyone can ride out this hot mess with maple-flavored grace, it’s Canadian businesses, okay?
XOXO,
Valley Girl News
