Canada's counter-tariffs are hurting small businesses. Even so, many still support them

Troyhann Santos checks the federal government's latest list of counter-tariffs and makes a crushing discovery. Starting immediately, she'll have to pay a 25 per cent tariff on most merchandise coming into her lacrosse equipment store, Lax Shack, in Pickering, Ont.

"To get hit with something like this is terrifying," said Santos. "It's a terrible gut punch."

Billions of dollars and thousands of jobs are on the line as Canadian businesses grapple with U.S. President Trump's tariffs, the bulk of which are set to take effect on April 2. 

Now, some businesses unaffected by Trump's tariffs are learning that they won't emerge unscathed from the trade war, because goods they import from the U.S. are getting hit with Canada's counter-tariffs. 

The problem is especially concerning for small businesses, which often don't have deep pockets to help them weather the storm. 

Last week, the federal government imposed its first round of 25 per cent retaliatory tariffs on $30 billion worth of American goods, such as many types of food and appliances. 

On Thursday, after Trump imposed tariffs on steel and aluminum exports, Canada hit back with more tariffs, this time on $29.8 billion worth of U.S. goods. Targets include U.S. steel, aluminum, some electronics and — unfortunately for Santos — sports equipment.

Almost all of the lacrosse gear she sells, including sticks, balls and nets, is imported from the U.S.

"We have shipments that are coming in on a daily basis, so this will affect us immediately," said Santos. "We're going to have to increase our prices to reflect that 25 per cent increase."

She's not the only small business caught in the crossfire.

Cluck Clucks, a small but growing fast food chain in the Toronto area, says the counter-tariffs could hurt its expansion plans. 

Each Cluck Clucks requires between six and eight deep fryers to serve up its specialty: fried chicken. 

The fryers, which cost up to $27,000 each are made of steel and shipped from the U.S. Because Canada's counter-tariffs include cooking appliances made of steel, Cluck Clucks believes it will now pay 25 per cent more for each new purchase.

"We're expecting our costs to go up significantly," said Raza Hashim, Cluck Clucks' CEO. "So, overall, just not a good situation for us."