This week, we’re taking a look at the new round of tariffs on Canadian goods announced by the Trump administration. One category impacted, apparel brands are already looking at speeding up their investment in U.S.-based fulfillment centers. But local fulfillment isn’t cheap.Just when the tariff chaos of last year seemed to be dying down, President Trump brought the topic roaring back.
This week, the president announced an additional 50% tariff on goods coming from Canada, in retaliation for what the administration called “discriminatory trade practices” on the part of Canada. In an 18-page list, the administration laid out a wide variety of categories that would be affected by the tariffs, including apparel.
For Canadian brands, the decision adds to the continued instability of the lucrative U.S. market and expedites plans for moves like establishing local distribution.
Saravie Brewer, vp of operations at the 11-year-old Vancouver-based activewear brand Duer, said the decision has produced a feeling of acute anxiety. While Duer is manufactured at its owned factory in Pakistan, not Canada, the brand has traditionally had its product shipped to Canada and then fulfilled to U.S. customers from there. Last year, it began having its factory fulfill orders directly to the U.S., rather than moving them through Vancouver first.
