The Canadian Government has announced three different programs designed to help Canadian businesses contend with the surtaxes on imported US goods instituted in response to US tariffs.
- The first is a performance-based remission framework that has been instituted for Canadian automakers. This remission framework allows for the importation of a ‘certain number of US assembled, CUSMA-compliant vehicles into Canada, free of the countermeasure tariffs that Canada has imposed.” This remission program, however, is contingent on the automaker continuing to produce vehicles in Canada and completing planned investments.
- The second is a six-month relief for goods imported from the US that are used in the following sectors.
- Manufacturing
- Processing, food, and beverage packaging
- Public health & health care
- Public safety
- National security objectives
This limited-time relief is intended to allow those sectors time to adapt their supply chains effectively and prioritize domestic sources. How a business can access these two measures/programs has not yet been fully revealed.
UPDATE 4/17/25: Official details on this program, including qualification requirements and application procedures, can be found here.
- Third, the Large Enterprise Tariff Loan Facility (LETL) is open and accepting applicants seeking financial support as a result of the tariffs. The intended recipients of this financial support are large businesses that were viable prior to the tariffs but are now facing challenges in “accessing traditional sources of market financing.”
Details from the Canadian Department of Finance can be found here.
Details of the related surtaxes can be found at the following: US Surtax 2025-1, Motor Vehicles 2025, and Steel and Aluminum 2025.
Additional measures could be released in the days and months to come as needed. To be kept abreast of the latest as it happens, you are encouraged to:
