VT: CANADIAN TARIFFS RAISE VERMONT CONCERNS
Click here for updates on this story
RUTLAND, Vermont (WPTZ) — Yesterday, President Trump announced a sweeping 50% tariff on most Canadian goods. Trump said that the tariffs are retaliation for bad rates on American autos, alcohol and dairy products. Some Vermont manufacturers are worried that the president’s action will harm their business.
Ann Clark, operating in Rutland, Vermont, makes and sells baking supplies. Over time it has become the largest cookie cutter company in the country. CEO Ben Clark explained that Canada is the company’s largest international trading partner.
“Canada’s been huge. You know, when we first decided to try international trade, we first went to Canada. It worked well there,” said Clark.
When creating new products, they often test their popularity in Canada. After hearing about the new tariffs, Clark said they could impact multiple parts of their operations.
“All of the dyes we use for our food coloring come out of Canada,” he said,” So that will be an issue.”
He also predicts they will see a dip in sales.
“In the cookie cutter world, the biggest competitor we have is China. I think what’s going to happen is the Canadians are just going to say, I don’t want to buy American products and they’re going to buy Chinese products,” Clark said.
In response to the new tariffs, Ann Clark is planning on changing product labels to read made in Vermont instead of made in America. Clark said the company has had great business partners and friends in Canada and hopes to see those relationships continue, despite the building political tension.
“We need some way to say, hey, we’re not— we didn’t come up with this 50% tariff. Please don’t hurt us on this. We have great products we’ve been selling in Canada for years and we’d like to keep doing that,” he said.
Vermont’s congressional delegation has also expressed disappointment with the decision.
In a statement from Senator Peter Welch, he said “The White House’s endless attacks on our Canadian neighbors—Vermont’s closest partner in trade—have caused undeniable harm to our state’s economy.”
The new Canadian tariffs are expected to take effect in a month.
Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.