Calgary jeweller expects to lose half her U.S. customers after new 50% tariff
A fresh round of American tariffs hit Canadian exports over the weekend after trade talks between Ottawa and Washington collapsed, forcing small businesses to raise prices for U.S. buyers.
Why it matters
The tariffs raise costs and threaten sales for Alberta small businesses that rely heavily on U.S. customers.
Calgary jewelry maker Cindy Baldassi says she expects to lose about half her customers after the United States imposed a 50 per cent tariff on Canadian exports worth more than $20 billion, including gold, silver and imitation jewelry. Roughly 75 per cent of buyers of her sterling silver, stone and dinosaur fossil jewelry are American, and she has suspended U.S. sales while she updates prices and notifies clients of the added cost.
The tariff took effect Saturday after trade talks broke down Friday night. Prime Minister Mark Carney said Americans offered a "bad deal" with unacceptable terms, including attempts to restrict Canada's ability to strike deals with other trading partners and its protections for the French language. He confirmed Canada is now in a trade war with the U.S. and said Ottawa will match American tariffs dollar-for-dollar starting next month, targeting steel, dairy, appliances, agricultural equipment, pulp and paper, and electronics.
The Calgary Chamber of Commerce said the trade war could affect nearly 100,000 jobs across Canada but backed Carney's decision, saying "no deal is better than a bad deal." Federal Opposition critic Shuvaloy Majumdar called for more details on the failed negotiations while still supporting the government's stance.
Provincial leaders were split in their reaction. Ontario's Doug Ford and Manitoba's Wab Kinew urged Canadians to unite and buy local, while Alberta Premier Danielle Smith cautioned against celebrating retaliatory tariffs, warning they would raise costs for farmers buying equipment. Baldassi said support from Canadian buyers over the past two days has helped somewhat, though she remains uncertain about what lies ahead.
Compiled by the Alberta Daily Desk — an AI-written summary of reporting from the credited sources below, produced and reviewed under our editorial policy.