Tariffs and U.S. trade tops business group platforms

Trade uncertainty with the United States and retaliatory tariffs are casting a large shadow over the federal election and–connected to that–the platforms of business advocacy groups.

“A tariff war is basically a circular firing squad,” said Matt Poirier, vice-president of federal government relations for the Retail Council of Canada (RCC), during an April 15 phone interview with The Lobby Monitor.

He said that the RCC supports Canadian counter-tariffs on imported U.S. goods but it’s “unfortunate” that the tariffs are being applied in a tit-for-tat manner.

“It’s not that we’re against tariffs. We understand why our government’s doing it but it does come at a cost, and unfortunately, it ends up being borne by consumers,” said Poirier.

Of the RCC’s five recommendations included in its election platform, Poirier said that an end to the “tariff war” is its “key” ask.