Toronto Businesses Find 'Sweet Spot' Amid U.S. Trade War
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As 50 per cent tariffs disrupt exports, local entrepreneurs are pivoting to capture a surge in Canadian consumer demand.
Following the implementation of 50 per cent U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods on Aug. 22, some Toronto-based businesses are reporting a renewed surge in local consumer interest, according to CBC Toronto.
Daniel Naraine, owner of City Cottage Market, notes that while operating costs remain high, the trade war has created a "sweet spot" for small Canadian producers to gain attention. Naraine, who opened the market during the pandemic to support local chefs and producers, expects this focus on domestic goods to persist.
For other companies, the shift toward the Canadian market has been a matter of survival. Jacquelyn Corbett, CEO of the clothing brand Mini Mioche, reported that U.S. sales—which previously accounted for roughly half of the company's business—tanked after tariffs hit. In response, Mini Mioche opened a Toronto store and launched an adult collection to target domestic shoppers.
Similarly, Zing Pantry Shortcuts, a condiment company led by co-founder and CEO Jannine Rane, ceased exporting to the U.S. to focus on national expansion. Rane reports that the company's products are now available in every province, including at Safeway and Sobeys locations.
This trend is reflected in digital traffic as well. Brydon Parker, who operates the Made in Canada online directory, told CBC Toronto that site visitors jumped from approximately 100 to 14,000 in a single week, signaling a broad effort by Canadians to support home-grown brands during the conflict with their largest trading partner.