N.B. businesses waiting anxiously for U.S.

N.B. businesses waiting anxiously for U.S.-Canada trade details

U.S., Canada trade representatives are working on deal before Friday's tariff deadline

Businesses in New Brunswick were anxiously awaiting details from ongoing trade talks between Canada and the U.S. on Friday afternoon.

Representatives from both countries have been meeting in Washington, including New Brunswick MP Dominic LeBlanc who is the Canada-U.S. trade minister. They are working towards a deal before U.S. President Donald Trump's latest tariffs take effect at midnight eastern time.

Keith Parlee, CEO of Apex Industries, is one business that is awaiting news of a deal.

The New Brunswick company sells steel doors to the U.S. which have been subject to tariffs in recent months, Parlee said in an emailed statement.

“We have experienced significant and costly tariffs for the last several months, so a resolution and a path forward would be very much welcomed,” said Parlee.

“We anxiously await the details of the ongoing negotiations, so we can get back to a more consistent business work environment with our customers.”

N.B. businesses await tariff talk outcome

Kim Wilson, the CEO of the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Moncton, said the theme for businesses throughout the talks is uncertainty — a sentiment that's lingered for over a year now.

“That continues to be the theme. I think people are sitting and waiting and staying and hoping for a positive outcome. What I would say is uncertainty is tough for businesses,” said Wilson.

She said her organization represents over 1,000 businesses and many of them have less than 10 employees.

Wilson said uncertainty means it’s tougher for many businesses to make plans for the future.

“I think the only thing that we can predict is that we are living in uncertain times," she said.

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She said finding more customers outside of the U.S. has now become important. Her organization’s members have told her export diversification is a priority.

“The risk is always, if you're reliant on one partner, you know, one big customer, that's always a risk.”

Wilson said government is trying to help businesses with trade diversification.

“We remain optimistic, but we will continue to work to support those businesses and helping them prosper and grow and succeed.”

This week, Prime Minister Mark Carney asked provinces to reconsider restocking U.S. alcohol in hopes of finalizing a deal to stop a new round of American tariffs on $29 billion in Canadian goods.

New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt told CBC News late on Thursday she wouldn't commit to the request until she sees the final deal.

“We're holding out hope that we're going to see a reduction in tariff,” Holt said.

"And if we do see a significant reduction in the things that matter to New Brunswickers, then we're part of team Canada, we'll do what it takes."

The premier also said she’d like tariffs imposed last year rolled back before considering any concessions.

Oliver Pearson is a reporter at CBC New Brunswick. He can be reached at oliver.pearson@cbc.ca