published 03/06/2025
Navigating Tariffs & Trade Wars: Essential Resources for Canadian Businesses
The global trade winds have shifted, and Canada is now in a new era of trade with the U.S. In these turbulent times, Canadian businesses that rely on the U.S. market need support and resources to weather the current tariffs and the trade war.
The following information outlines links to various legal, government, trade and business association resources that can help businesses navigate the current market challenges:
Global Legal Services
TDS: Exclusive Lex Mundi Member in Manitoba
- Businesses looking to develop new export markets will benefit from TDS’ exclusive (Manitoba) membership in Lex Mundi, the world’s leading association of independent law firms, covering more than 150 jurisdictions globally.
- Through TDS, businesses can access complimentary legal guides to doing business in new markets, screen potential partners and suppliers, and access Lex Mundi’s 'Free Advice Policy’.
For more information, contact your TDS lawyer or complete this form.
Canadian Legal Support (Domestic and New Markets)
Thompson Dorfman Sweatman (TDS) Services:
- Labour and Employment (workforce restructuring and downsizing)
- Financing and raising capital
- Intellectual Property (IP) protection (in new foreign markets)
- Business restructuring
- Business Immigration (traveling outside Canada for business)
- Tax law (advice)
- Commercial law (including amending sales contracts to add clarity as to what party is responsible for tariffs)
- Mergers & Acquisitions (including entering new foreign markets via M&A)
- Procurement law (governments and public sector entities - buy Canadian)
For more information, contact your TDS lawyer or complete this form.
Province of Manitoba FAQ
- Access a helpful FAQ and a U.S. tariff inquiries portal.
- Manitoba businesses with tariff-related questions can also call the Government of Manitoba's hotline at 1-877-827-4330 (toll-free), 204-945-8011, or 204-945-3744.
Government of Canada Business Support and Funding
Prairies Economic Development Canada
- Outlines business support options, including funding.
Find the tariff applicable to your product | Canada Tariff Finder
- Allows users to quickly and easily find specific tariff information.
Export Development Canada (EDC)
- Provides a variety of resources, including U.S. market intelligence, risk mitigation options, and securing financing for global growth.
- If you're an eligible Canadian exporter, or a company that supplies exporters, here's how they can help: https://www.edc.ca/en/campaign/trade-support-canadian-companies.html
Trade Commissioner Service (Global Affairs Canada)
- Offers support for Canadian exporters dealing with U.S. tariff challenges, including export diversification assistance and tariff tools from the Government of Canada.
Export Support Programming | Business, Mining, Trade and Job Creation
- Manitoba’s Export Support Programming focuses on supporting Manitoba’s small and medium-sized businesses to export and diversify markets for their products.
Business, Industry, and Trade Associations
Manufacturer Information Hub - Trade & Tariffs | CME
- The Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) trade and tariffs webpage.
Manitoba Chambers of Commerce | Trade Portal
- This link directs users to the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce trade portal, which provides news, updates, tools, and resources.
- Offers a downloadable 16-page report detailing the impact of tariffs on Manitoba businesses.
Tariff Resource Guide for Winnipeg Businesses | Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce
- Tariff Resource Guide for Winnipeg Businesses
World Trade Centre Winnipeg | Import & Export Training | Business Consulting
- Provides training, consulting, and market research to help Manitoba businesses diversify and expand global trade.
U.S. 25% Tariff on Canada and Mexico Imports In Effect March 4th - GHY International
- A Trade Talk blog by customs brokers GHY International, featuring helpful links, including the U.S. Federal Register on additional duties for Canadian products.
Legal Support & Business Resources
For legal guidance, industry insights, and upcoming events, visit our Knowledge Centre at www.tdslaw.com/knowledge-centre.
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