Recent retaliatory tariffs imposed by Canada on U.S. goods have sparked concerns for two Newfoundland businesses, prompting them to take precautionary measures to mitigate potential impacts.
Alana Rideout, sales manager at Maple Valley Flooring in Corner Brook, expressed uncertainty about the repercussions of the tariffs on their business. Certain flooring products, such as planks, sheet vinyl, and carpet backing, face tariffs ranging from 25 to 50 per cent, given that many raw materials for these products are sourced from the U.S.
“We anticipate some effects due to the origin of our raw materials. It’s a matter of adapting to the situation and monitoring which products will be most affected,” Rideout mentioned in an interview with CBC News prior to the tariffs taking effect.
Canada initiated retaliatory tariffs on the U.S., targeting $27.8 billion worth of goods that had been previously tariffed by the U.S. against Canada.
Rideout highlighted that while the majority of their flooring products originate from Quebec, their manufacturers and suppliers have been actively exploring Canadian and European alternatives to U.S. products to minimize the impact. This shift has also resonated with customers, some of whom express a preference for Canadian-made products over American ones.
However, Rideout acknowledged the challenge of ensuring products labeled as Canadian may still incorporate U.S. components.
Similarly, Constanza Safatle, CEO of Newbornlander, a baby clothing company based in St. John’s, faced difficulties as the fabric used in their locally sewn clothes is sourced from the U.S.
Safatle recognized the potential business ramifications of the tariffs a year ago and promptly transitioned to a Canadian fabric supplier to mitigate the impact.
Looking ahead, Rideout emphasized Maple Valley Flooring’s commitment to navigating any uncertainties arising from business and tariff implications.
“We aim to maintain stability in pricing and operations as much as possible, without passing on additional costs to our customers,” Rideout stated.
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