Mayor Patrick Brown Leads Effort to Diversify Markets and Protect Local Economy
In response to the looming threat of U.S. tariffs, the City of Brampton has launched the Mayor’s Tariff Task Force, an initiative aimed at protecting local businesses, strengthening trade relationships, and exploring new markets beyond the United States.
At a press conference on Wednesday, Mayor Patrick Brown expressed deep concern over the proposed 25% blanket tariff on Canadian goods set to take effect on March 4, as well as an additional 25% tariff on steel and aluminum scheduled for March 12. He warned that these measures could have far-reaching economic consequences for Brampton, home to a large number of businesses that rely on cross-border trade.
“President Trump has also threatened tariffs on the auto industry, Canadian lumber, and other key sectors,” Brown stated. “This could result in some goods facing tariffs of 50% or even higher, severely impacting our local businesses.”
Mayor Brown emphasized the importance of a united response at all levels of government, making it clear that Brampton will not back down. He reiterated full support for reciprocal tariffs, which he believes would send a strong message that Canada is committed to fair and balanced trade relationships.
The Mayor’s Tariff Task Force will focus on direct engagement with the U.S. market, adopting a city-to-city approach to protect Brampton businesses. “We’ll engage directly with U.S. businesses operating in Brampton as well as companies within our local supply chain,” Brown said. “We’ll work with our business community to identify new opportunities and strengthen existing partnerships.”
In addition to countering U.S. trade barriers, the task force will focus on diversifying international trade, reducing interprovincial trade restrictions, and prioritizing Canadian supply chain opportunities.
“It should be seamless to send products anywhere in Canada, yet that’s still a challenge,” Brown noted. “But now, more than ever, there is a renewed effort to break down those barriers and increase economic resilience.”
Councillor Gurpartap Singh Toor, Chair of the Economic Development Committee, highlighted that more than 500 Brampton businesses export to the U.S., employing over 32,000 people. “The U.S.-Canada auto industry is among the most integrated in the world,” he said. “With nearly a quarter of Brampton’s manufacturing jobs tied to this sector, it’s vital we continue advocating for a strong, mutually beneficial trade relationship.”
Mayor Brown called on the federal government to support businesses in seeking alternative trade partners, emphasizing that Canada has been overly reliant on the U.S.
“We have numerous preferential trade agreements worldwide,” he said. “Now is the time to be resilient, creative, and innovative in responding to this economic threat by expanding into new markets.” He added that financial support programs should be made available to help businesses offset temporary shipping costs as they transition to new trade routes.
Brown pointed to recent discussions with the Government of Saudi Arabia regarding Brampton’s steel sector as an example of untapped opportunities. “The challenge is shipping costs, but this is the type of market expansion we should be pursuing,” he said.
Councillor Rowena Santos, Vice-Chair of the Economic Development Committee, noted that Brampton Council has already taken steps to prioritize local procurement, passing a motion to adopt a “Made-in-Canada or Not-Made-in-U.S.” policy.
“Brampton’s budget alone is $1.4 billion, and if more municipalities follow our lead, this shift in procurement policy could have a massive impact on strengthening Canadian industries,” she said.
Mayor Brown also encouraged consumers to buy local to support Canadian jobs and workers, reinforcing the importance of economic self-sufficiency in the face of unpredictable trade policies.
“With tariffs threatening the stability of key sectors, we must act now,” Brown concluded. “By taking proactive measures, advocating for fair trade, and expanding our global reach, we can ensure Brampton businesses remain competitive on the world stage.”