Stratford Mayor Martin Ritsma has met with community leaders to discuss the threat of tariffs and the potential impact on the local economy.
Contradictory statements have leaders scrambling to organize and react.
“Uncertainty always impacts the economy,” Ritsma told MyStratfordNow.
On Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump announced new tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from Canada. He previously announced 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian goods but then delayed implementation by a month.
Ritsma has met with manufacturing leaders and noted they are likely going to be the hardest hit, with job losses a distinct possibility in the Festival City. He has been in contact and assured them he is contact with provincial and federal leadership.
The mayor has also met with the city’s social services division, to ensure residents know what they can access, if need be, including food banks.
“If this hits, what are we going to do…how are we ready for that impact.”
Ritsma said there are more than 100 trucks leaving the city each day packed with items bound for other communities. Tariffs could severely impact the ebb and flow of business in every community, he said.
The back-and-forth messaging hasn’t helped but a month reprieve, before Monday’s new announcement, at least gives leaders time to plan.
“Over this next month we have to think about the impact. Maybe we start making those adjustments now by buying local.”
Ritsma said that could include buying Perth County products at the farmer’s market, or Ontario-labelled pork and beef. It could also include researching ‘made in Canada’ and ‘product of Canada’ items.
The mayor said it’s important to stay connected to Canada’s biggest trading partner.
Neighbours have squabbles, he said, but the U.S. and Canada need each other.
“This is a moment in time…. we can’t stop the conversations.”
