New Brunswick announces tariff response plan focused on supporting residents, businesses

Premier of New Brunswick Susan Holt, accompanied by other Council of the Federation members, speaks to reporters at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis) (Ben Curtis/AP)

Hours after United States President Donald Trump implemented his 25 per cent tariffs on Canada and Mexico, New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt responded during a news conference Tuesday morning.

Holt says 92 per cent of New Brunswick’s exports go to the United States. She calls Trump’s tariffs “an attack on Canada.”

“These illegal and unjustified tariffs will have heavy consequences for New Brunswickers, for our businesses, our communities, and our economy,” said Holt.

“They mark a turning point for our province and our country. Canada and the United States have been good trading partners, good neighbours, for a long time. Here in New Brunswick, we know this better than everyone. We share 17 border crossings with Maine and many New Brunswickers and Mainers alike consider themselves neighbours, cousins. You don’t treat your neighbours like this.”

President Trump’s executive order took effect at 12:01 a.m. ET. Tuesday, hitting Canada and Mexico with 25 per cent across-the-board tariffs, with a lower 10 per cent levy on Canadian energy.

During Tuesday’s press conference, the New Brunswick government announced a four-pillar response plan, which includes:

• support for affected New Brunswickers
• relief for New Brunswick businesses
• movement on interprovincial trade
• an “NB Made” campaign to make it easier for people to choose New Brunswick-based goods and services

Holt says these actions are in addition to the measures she announced last month, which include:

• removing all U.S. alcohol from NB Liquor shelves, as well as no longer purchasing any alcohol from south of the border
• signing no new contracts with American companies
• reviewing internal trade barriers
• working with the other Atlantic provinces to find new markets for items traditionally exported to the U.S., like seafood and lumber

Support for New Brunswickers

Working NB and the Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour will deliver a flexible labour market support program that will provide support and services to those whose jobs have been impacted by the tariffs.

A contingency fund will also be available through the Regional Development Corporation to provide support for impacted communities.

“Theres no other place like New Brunswick. We are people who work hard and are resilient, and together, we will get through this storm,” Holt said.

Relief for New Brunswick businesses

Luke Randall, minister responsible for Opportunities New Brunswick (ONB), announced a Competitive Growth Program through ONB aimed at enhancing the long-term sustainability of New Brunswick export-intensive companies.

“We are investing $40 million to support large companies with addressing competitiveness gaps, stabilizing operations and protecting jobs,” said Randall.

“It will also be available to companies that are making strategic investments in products that foster growth through productivity and market diversification.”

Randall says ONB has also adjusted its existing programs to ensure that businesses and sectors directly impacted by the tariffs have the access to financial support to maintain and grow their operations in New Brunswick.

“Working capital loans will offer financial support of up to $5 million to companies in tariff impacted sectors to help maintain their operations,” he said.

The province says it’s also allocated $4 million to support the New Brunswick Fisheries Fund, recognizing that seafood producers will be among some of the hardest hit by the tariffs.

Reducing interprovincial trade

Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Jean-Claude D’Amours says it is now more important than ever to reduce interprovincial trade barriers.

He says provinces are continuing their conversations on reducing such barriers, adding each have said they are prepared to take important measures to develop the national economy.

“New Brunswick will play a leadership role in reducing interprovincial trade barriers in Canada and strengthening the economy of our province and our country,” said D’Amours.

“We will be part of the solution by creating new opportunities for New Brunswick’s businesses and improving the flow of goods and services within Canada – and that is why we are ready to move ahead with a strong focus on reducing the regulatory and administrative burden that currently exists between provinces and territories.”

He says following an “ambitious review” of the Canadian Free Trade Agreement, New Brunswick is ready to remove nine exceptions and narrow the scope of one.

The province is also considering removing another six exceptions, which, in total, would represent more than 50 per cent of New Brunswick’s exceptions.

“These exceptions are mostly related to the area of procurement,” said D’Amours.

The province also plans to take aggressive moves on labour mobility, such as automatically recognizing certified workers from another jurisdiction for a minimum of 120 days, allowing them to work while obtaining any necessary provincial credentials.

Promoting buying local

Pat Finnigan, minister of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries, is encouraging New Brunswickers to buy local and support the local economy.

“Every dollar spent on products grown or made here in our province strengthens our economy, supports local jobs, and keeps our food system resilient.”

He says the province plans to further promote the “New Brunswick Made” campaign, allowing it easier for residents to identify locally made items.

The campaign supports existing initiatives, such as Savour NB, Excellence NB, Eat Local NB, and Buy Local for Good.

New Brunswick businesses that have questions about tariffs can contact Opportunities NB’s business navigators at 1-833-799-7966 or emailing [e-mail].

Individuals who are impacted by tariffs are encouraged to contact WorkingNB to learn more about support measures that are available to them.

For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.