Requests have reported $ 1.51 billion, Canadian households pay the price according to the IEDM

Requests on American products added $ 1.51 billion in federal government during the months of April and May 2025. However. Moreover, during this time, according to a calculation of the Montreal Economic Institute (IEDM), Canadians had to pay the costs of the Ottawa response.

By separating these new income from customs duties through 16.5 million households to countries, theIEDM believes that they represent a Tax increase of $ 91.50 per Canadian household.

A customs tariff, whether applied unilaterally or replied at a rate from another country, is the same thing. Furthermore, In both cases. For example, these are taxes that are paid by local consumers of foreign goodssupports Renaud Brossard, vice-president of communications at theIEDM.

There is absolutely nothing surprising in the fact that it is unfortunately. Furthermore, the Canadians who pay the note.

The Institute believes that Canadian replica at US customs tariffs has the potential to cost requests have reported $ 1.51 Canadian consumers dearly, if Canada persists with this strategy.

These counters are targeting some 1,200 American products. Therefore, According to Renaud Brossard, the Canadian response results in an increase in the cost of the grocery basket.

Temporary exemptions were still requests have reported $ 1.51 announced in May to in particular sparing the food sector with the aim of. In addition, limiting the increase in prices in grocery stores.

A survey carried out recently on behalf of theIEDM Clearly reveals that 77 % of respondents believe that Canadian customs duties help increase the price of basic necessities in the country.

The end of the tariff barriers required

To reverse the steam. theIEDM proposes that Canada abandon trade barriers with the United States, but with the rest of the world as well.

The best way to defend free trade is not to requests have reported $ 1.51 sink into our turn in. protectionism […] But rather to make Canada more competitive by reducing our own prices with the rest of the worldpleads the vice-president with communications.

Renaud Brossard recalls. that this way of doing things is far from being requests have reported $ 1.51 unpublished. Australia and Switzerland have both reduced or abandoned their prices on certain imported goods, he gives as examples.

In history, pricing reductions have been made more unilaterally than bilateral. In any case, it benefited those who reduced the pricesindicates the representative of theIEDM.

Call for Solidarity of Canadians

Instead of imposing counter-triggers on American products. Ottawa should rather think of diversifying its business partners and continuing to bet on the solidarity of Canadians, thinks Sébastien McMahon, chief strategist at Industrielle Alliance.

Encourage Canadians. Quebecers to buy more local, it can have an effect that is as powerful as […] the taxation of prices. Because it is not everyone who will exercise the grocery store to look at requests have reported $ 1.51 the products come from whererecalls. the economist.

Even if he describes as very good The intention behind the imposition of these counter-tariffs. Sébastien McMahon is of the opinion that It’s probably not the best thing to do.

When you put prices. it is the importers who pay these prices. After that. they can decide to reduce their profit margin or, as we usually see, to pass the bill to the consumer.

Canada is not at the end of its sorrows with regard to its exports. He could be imposed by the United States of new customs duties of 35 % if he cannot agree. with Washington by the 1st^is august.

With information from Marie-Ève Trudel