Tariff watch: Nova Scotia starts 1-800 hotline as Trump threat lingers

Nova Scotia has launched a 1-800 hotline and survey to amended gauge however U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff menace is affecting businesses successful the state — and to signifier its “tariff response.”

“Now much than ever, we request to beryllium Nova Scotia loyal. Our section businesses cognize this, and they’re looking for ways to turn their concern crossed Canada and internationally. They’ll person questions, and we’re present to help,” said Premier Tim Houston successful a Thursday release.

Houston went connected to accidental the state hopes the United States “will not reinstate this harmful policy” and that, successful the meantime, authorities volition instrumentality “strong action” to assistance businesses enactment beardown and competitive.

According to government’s statistics, Nova Scotia exports to the U.S. were worthy $4.4 cardinal and imports were $682.7 cardinal successful 2023. The starring exports were tires, fish, prepared seafood, wood products, aerospace products and plastics.

Trump signed an enforcement bid Saturday that imposed a 25 per cent tariff connected astir each Canadian goods and a 10 per cent tariff connected Canadian vigor products that would person travel into effect Tuesday. Ottawa and the provinces rapidly announced its ain counter-measures.

However, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Trump announced Monday that the tariffs will beryllium “paused” for up to 30 days aft Trudeau agreed to summation borderline information measures successful an day call.

“If the Trump Tax returns, it volition rise costs for everyone connected some sides of the border,” Houston said successful the release.

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For now, the state has launched a tariff accusation enactment astatine 1-800-670-4357 wherever businesses tin place immoderate barriers they brushwood trying to grow into interprovincial oregon planetary markets.

“The Province volition instrumentality that accusation into relationship arsenic it moves guardant with its tariff response,” the state noted.

A survey has besides been launched connected the Government of Nova Scotia website.