The Huron Chamber of Commerce has released a new report examining the potential local effects of U.S. tariffs on businesses across Huron County.
Local Impact Report
s.338 Affected Products
Revised: 24 July 2026
Businesses should not rely on this list for customs classification or business decisions and should confirm all information with a qualified customs broker or U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
The report begins with the results of the Chamber’s U.S. Tariff Impact Survey, which was developed specifically in response to the new Section 338 tariffs scheduled to take effect August 19. Those measures would impose additional 50 per cent duties on a wide range of specified Canadian products.
The survey found that exposure to the new tariffs could extend well beyond businesses that export directly to the United States. While 47 per cent of respondents export goods directly to the U.S., 65 per cent purchase American goods, materials or components. The same proportion believe their customers may be affected by tariffs.
Pricing changes were the most frequently identified potential effect, cited by 59 per cent of respondents, while 53 per cent anticipate reduced sales or orders. Just over half describe the potential impact on their own business as moderate or significant.
“What concerns us is the way these pressures can move through the local economy,” said Colin Carmichael, Executive Director of the Huron Chamber of Commerce. “A tariff may begin with a manufacturer, an importer or an exporter, but if it changes investment decisions, employment or household confidence, the effects can eventually reach retailers, restaurants, contractors, real estate businesses and other employers throughout Huron County.”
While the survey focused specifically on the August 19 Section 338 measures, the report takes a broader look at the current Canada-U.S. trade environment.
It also examines the existing Section 232 sectoral tariffs, including measures affecting steel, aluminum, copper, autos, trucks, lumber and other products. These tariffs are particularly relevant to manufacturers and supply chains that depend on affected materials, even where the finished product itself is not directly tariffed.
The report also provides context on the newer Section 301 tariffs, which apply more broadly to certain Canadian goods that do not qualify for CUSMA treatment.
In addition, the analysis includes an update on ongoing negotiations between Canada and the United States as officials work toward a possible agreement before the August 19 deadline. Those discussions could affect both the new Section 338 tariffs and some of the existing sectoral measures already affecting Canadian businesses.
The Chamber has also prepared a plain-language Section 338 Tariff Guide to help businesses identify products potentially affected by the August 19 measures.
The Huron Chamber of Commerce is one of Canada’s fastest growing Chambers, connecting community leaders since 1990. Representing businesses across Huron County, the Chamber focuses on growing the local economy, supporting business success, and strengthening our towns and villages. As an independent, non-profit organization, the Chamber advocates for business and community interests, facilitates collaboration, and convenes stakeholders to develop and support a vibrant and thriving county.
