Ontario Chamber Supports Federal and Provincial Government Position on U.S. Trade

(TORONTO – August 22, 2026) – Today, Daniel Tisch, President and CEO of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, issued the following statement on Canada’s federal and provincial government position on U.S. trade:

“Either way, Friday was destined to be a bad day for North American businesses. Behind one door, we had the high costs of permanent tariffs, making a mockery of CUSMA, and a truce that would only last until the U.S. president’s next tantrum. Behind the other, we had the madness of a continuing trade war.

“The Canadian government negotiated with a good faith that was not returned, and was even willing to allow Trump to maintain unjustified tariffs without retaliation to give our economy time to diversify.

“The Ontario Chamber of Commerce supports the federal and provincial governments’ judgment that the price to pay last night was simply too steep.

“Trump’s new tariffs—yet another violation of CUSMA—will cause great pain for some important Ontario businesses, which deserve support now.

“The Ontario Chamber will continue to work with our U.S. business partners, who like us seek fewer barriers to trade, not more. We believe that in time their government will be forced to heed their advocacy as costs rise and jobs vanish.

“Here in Canada, the First Ministers must redouble efforts to build our own economy, eliminate all interprovincial trade barriers, aggressively help businesses diversify their trade, and make Canada a highly attractive place for businesses to invest in themselves.

“We will be there to support our businesses every step of the way.”

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About the Ontario Chamber of Commerce

The Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) is the indispensable partner of business and Canada’s largest, most influential provincial chamber. It is an independent, non-profit advocacy and member services organization representing a diverse network of 60,000 members. The OCC convenes, mobilizes, and empowers business and local chambers in pursuit of its purpose: to bring inclusive and sustainable prosperity to Ontario’s businesses, workers, and communities.

Andrea Carmona 
Director of Public Affairs
Ontario Chamber of Commerce
andreacarmona@occ.ca | Mobile: 647 234 0255