Holt says U.S. tariffs set for April 2 may not be as broad as initially feared

Sam Farley · CBC News

· Posted: Mar 27, 2025 3:55 PM EDT | Last Updated: 5 minutes ago

Premier Susan Holt said she didn't expect to person overmuch to accidental this week astatine the commencement of her now-weekly unrecorded updates about the latest successful the commercialized warfare with the United States,

But arsenic Canadians person learned by now, things are hardly ever quiescent connected that front.

Trump said precocious Wednesday that helium would enforce a 25 per cent tariff connected Canadian conveyance imports.

Holt said portion New Brunswick is not a hub for car manufacturing, Ontario — New Brunswick's second-largest provincial trading partner — is.

"When Ontario sneezes, New Brunswick gets a cold," Holt said.

But she besides shared better news, with connection from her counterparts successful Ottawa that the menace of wide tariffs crossed the board, acceptable for April 2, volition apt beryllium much targeted astatine a database of products.

New Brunswick has acceptable up a $62-million tariff alleviation bundle to assistance businesses and municipalities affected by rising costs oregon labour disruptions, and Holt encouraged immoderate companies impacted to use for disposable assistance now.

Municipalities and companies taxable to Canada's ain antagonistic tariffs connected importing U.S. goods tin use to the national authorities to get backmost any tariffs paid out, she said. They tin scope retired to the state oregon Opportunities N.B. for assistance navigating that, Holt added. 

She besides said efforts by New Brunswickers and the provincial authorities to restrict question and spending successful the U.S. and connected American products is being noticed southbound of the border.

"I cognize I don't request to promote you to bash that due to the fact that you person been doing it successful spades, New Brunswick, and I privation to accidental convey you for that job," she said.

"It's starting to destabilize and make rumblings from the United States and truthful it's working. Keep doing it."

Holt said Saint John is hosting a league for southeastern U.S. governors successful June, which volition beryllium different accidental to proceed pressing American politicians connected the harm created by tariffs.

"We are proceeding much and much that senators and governors, peculiarly successful Republican states, are starting to spot the interaction and are starting to recognize amended however this is hurting Americans," Holt said. 

No committedness connected Campobello year-round ferry

Reporters astatine Thursday's briefing asked the premier about the state expanding the Campobello ferry to year-round oregon adjacent an earlier start, but she did not reply the question directly. 

The land is connected to mainland New Brunswick by ferry during summertime months, but successful the disconnected season, residents person to thrust for an hr done Maine to scope the remainder of the province. There is nary infirmary oregon state presumption connected the island and lone 1 market store. 

"There's a situation determination that needs to beryllium addressed," Holt said. 

She added that New Brunswick has been pressuring Ottawa to enactment successful spot tariff exemptions for Campobello residents crossing the border, but nary solution has been made yet.

Chinese tariffs not a priority

As for Chinese tariffs connected Canadian seafood coming astatine the aforesaid clip arsenic the U.S. trade war, Holt was asked by if Canada is considering reducing tariffs connected Chinese electrical vehicles to promote a driblet oregon simplification of seafood tariffs.

Holt said it is being considered, but Canada's efforts are astir focused connected reducing and eliminating U.S. tariffs connected Canada, arsenic they are a larger trading spouse than China. 

"There is interest that removing the tariff connected Chinese vehicles volition marque our narration and concern and negotiating with the U.S. worse."

The national authorities has fiscal supports for Canadian seafood and canola producers impacted by those tariffs, and Holt said the seafood manufacture tin use for provincial backing arsenic well.