Latest news with #RonMarcolin
CTV News
2 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
‘We do have to take it seriously': How Maritime manufacturers, exporters could be impacted by new tariff threats
Ron Marcolin with Canadian Manufacturers and Exports discusses the latest developments in the trade war. Ron Marcolin with Canadian Manufacturers and Exports discusses the latest developments in the trade war. U.S. President Donald Trump sent a letter Thursday informing Prime Minister Mark Carney of a 35 per cent tariff that will be imposed on exports from Canada to the U.S. The new levies, which are in addition to several tariffs imposed since March, would come into effect on Aug. 1. Trump also said the tariff would rise if Canada retaliated with new tariffs of its own. 'I think it's fair to say we do have to take it seriously,' Ron Marcolin, vice president of Canadian Manufacturers and Exports (CME) for New Brunswick and P.E.I., told CTV Atlantic's Todd Battis. Marcolin says since early March, Canada has received a series of threats from Trump about imposing tariffs and the tariffs that have been put in place are already affecting businesses in the Maritimes. 'Unfortunately, it is a bit of a game, it's a very serious and high stakes game,' said Marcolin. 'But we know that he can change his mind and is prone to changing his mind, that's part of his strategy.' On top of the newly announced 35 per cent tariff, Canada now faces a 25 per cent tariff on most Canadian goods, 10 per cent tariffs on energy sources, 25 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminum and 25 per cent tariffs on autos and auto parts. Along with the announcement on Thursday, Trump announced a 50 per cent tariff on copper. 'The unique thing about copper is Americans need Canadian copper,' Marcolin said. 'They need Canadian copper concentrate so ultimately they can refine it and smelt it.' Marcolin said this tariff will impact the copper customers in the U.S. As for manufacturers in the Maritimes, Marcolin said they will begin to look for suppliers elsewhere to diversify their markets. '[Companies] look at say, shipping lanes out of Halifax and out of the Port of Saint John, looking to Europe in particular,' Marcolin said. Government agencies are also available to help exporters in the Maritimes who don't have the knowledge of exporting to Europe, Marcolin said.
CTV News
03-07-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Canadian exports to U.S. drop, reach record high for goods sent to other countries
As a trade war between Canada and the United States continues into the second half of 2025, new numbers from Statistics Canada show exports to the U.S. are continuing to trend down. For a fourth straight month, goods heading from north to south have fallen. In May exports to the U.S. dropped by 0.9 per cent. Canada's share of exports bound to the States was at 68.3 per cent in the same month, which is one of the lowest proportions on record. Canada's overall trade deficit fell to $5.9 billion In May, down from a record high of $7.6 billion in April. While an exchange of goods between the long-standing close trade partners appears to be decreasing, Canadian exports to other countries have reached a record high. In May exports to nations not named the United States rose by 5.7 per cent. 'That's a very good thing for New Brunswick manufacturers because we do have to expand our territory,' says Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters (CME) Divisional vice-president Ron Marcolin. 'That's a very prudent business thing to do and unfortunately [manufacturers] have been forced into it somewhat, but this is a very good positive story for manufacturers to look beyond just the United States market.' While the numbers are trending in positive directions for expansion beyond the continent, many businesses continue to struggle with the challenges brought on by tariffs. A recent survey conducted by CME found three in four manufacturers in Canada are experiencing harm caused by the tariffs, which is slowing growth within their own companies. 'If you think of a business, they want to in 2025, possibly expand and get a new piece of equipment or do any heavy maintenance, but they've put those type of projects on hold,' Marcolin says. 'The other major thing is hiring. They're literally just treading water and staying pat as they're getting through a day, a week, and a month.' Marcolin says the level of uncertainty and angst among most manufacturers in New Brunswick and beyond hasn't really changed since the trade war began. 'It affected me pretty severely' It was another busy day Thursday for Curtis Dionne as his uptown Saint John Glass Roots glass blowing studio. In his custom furnace he creates magical pieces that are displayed throughout his alleyway shop. 'It affected me pretty severely,' says Dionne. 'The main thing being the complete drop off of our American sales momentum.' Curtis Dionne Curtis Dionne creates a vase in his Saint John studio. (Source: Avery MacRae/CTV News Atlantic) Dionne says he had big contracts with place like Uncommon Goods and Dollywood – the Tennessee theme park co-owned by legendary country artist Dolly Parton – in place but U.S. businesses have shied away from Canadian goods since the trade war began. He says in 2024 sales in the U.S. accounted for at least 10 per cent of his overall revenue. The tariffs have also impacted the price of some the materials needed for his work. 'Our color comes from Germany, and it gets tariff coming into the United States, and then we get it from Seattle here,' he says. 'There's already tons of costs and taxes and import charges that get added to our materials and shipping, and this is just another burden.'
CBC
11-03-2025
- Business
- CBC
Trump threatens to double tariffs on aluminum and steel: Here's what that means in N.B.
U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday he plans to double the tariff – from 25 per cent to 50 per cent – on Canadian aluminum and steel, starting Wednesday. Ron Marcolin, a divisional vice-president at Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters, breaks down what this might mean for New Brunswick businesses and workers.
