Joanne Brunet, Executive Director of Développement Vaudreuil-Soulanges (DEV), admits that she had much the same reaction as everyone else when the tariffs imposed by the United States on Canadian products came into force. She doesn't understand why President Donald Trump wanted to turn Canada, his country's friend and ally, into an economic adversary. 

‘Unfortunately, we didn't ask for these tariffs to be imposed. We have no choice but to accept them and live with them. What I appreciated when the tariffs came into effect on Tuesday was that the federal and provincial levels were ready to respond by imposing measures immediately. They had thought about the issue. I also appreciated the convincing efforts they made in recent months to try to convince the US government not to impose these tariffs,’ she says at the outset. 

More than a hundred local companies affected 

Since Monday, DEV teams have been mobilised to support Vaudreuil-Soulanges entrepreneurs affected by this new measure. ‘According to our latest count, 150 businesses in the region are affected by the US government's decision. In other words, they are affected because they export products to our neighbours to the south. Some of them are also importers. For around a third of them, the concerns are greater. Companies in the manufacturing sector have raised the possibility of having to lay off employees if they are forced to do so. At the moment, as far as I know, no one has lost their job, but we're on day 2 of the crisis,’ she says. 

If we take a closer look at the situation, the companies affected by the tariffs imposed by the United States operate in the manufacturing, logistics and wholesale sectors, and even in the agri-food and agricultural sectors. ‘The programmes announced by the Quebec government also apply to agricultural businesses, it should be pointed out ’. 

What does the future hold for branches of American companies based here? 

In some cases, companies established here have subsidiaries in the United States and find themselves uncertain about their future. ‘Will they be relocated? Our team is on the lookout for these companies and tries to inform them of the directions to take or the resources to turn to. We act as a conduit to other bodies such as Investissement Québec and the federal government,’ she adds. 

In her view, the current situation will initially have a short-term impact on the companies targeted. Then, if the situation persists, these companies' subcontractors should start to feel the impact. ‘We need to keep a cool head despite everything and not panic. Our priority is to meet the needs of the contractors affected. Unlike the pandemic, not all businesses are affected this time, just some, and not all in the same way. We need to work at different levels. The FRONTIÈRE and ESSOR programmes are aimed at companies on the front line of customs tariffs,’ she explains.  

In closing, Ms Brunet urges residents to continue their habit of buying locally and supporting the region's businesses. ‘There's been a great movement in recent weeks. I invite people to continue to do so.’ 

Businesses that would like help filling out application forms for financial assistance under the FRONTIÈRE and Essor programs or that would like to share their current situation can contact the DEV team at (450) 424-2262. 

Read also: 

- 25% tariffs imposed on Canada as of Tuesday, March 4

 - A first wave of tariffs coming into effect on Tuesday?

- Canada Responds to U.S. Tariffs with Retaliatory Measures

-  All American wines and products to be removed from SAQ shelves