A commercial truck prepares to export goods from Canada to the U.S.A. (Photo: Modfos | Dreamstime.com)

By David Opinko

Exporters should verify trade deal compliance to avoid tariffs: Lethbridge Chamber

Aug 1, 2025 | 2:18 PM

The Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce is supporting the region’s exporters after the U.S. government imposed 35 per cent tariffs on Canadian goods.

U.S. President Donald Trump enacted the import levies on August 1, 2025, claiming that Canada had not done enough to slow the cross-border flow of fentanyl.

The business advocacy group says it is concerned about the impacts that the trade duties would have on businesses north of the border, especially as a report earlier this year found that Lethbridge would be one of the hardest-hit cities from U.S. tariffs.

READ MORE: Lethbridge would be among the hardest-hit Canadian cities from tariffs: report

Lethbridge Chamber CEO Cyndi Crane says they will do everything they can to support the region’s exporters.

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“This tariff escalation highlights the urgent need for our regional exporters to secure proper documentation. The Lethbridge Chamber is proud to provide official Certificates of Origin that verify CUSMA compliance and protect exports from punitive tariffs,” says Crane. “We are committed to helping our businesses stay resilient and competitive in this evolving trade landscape.”

The number one thing that Crane advises exporting businesses to do is to verify that their products are compliant with the terms of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement on Trade, as Trump has confirmed that those goods would not face any tariffs.

Business owners who ship items to the United States are also encouraged to contact the Chamber for Certificates of Origin, explore other international markets for export, and leverage evolving federal and provincial support programs.

At this year’s Alberta Chamber of Commerce AGM, the Lethbridge Chamber introduced two policy resolutions aimed at shaping the province’s long-term economic direction.

One seeks the harmonization of regulations and credential recognition across Canada’s provinces and territories, particularly for sectors like transportation, agriculture and construction.

The Chamber also wants to see the Alberta Government modernize export tools, fund international missions, and attract foreign investment into high-growth sectors like agri-tech, clean energy and advanced manufacturing.

At the national level, the Chamber has also advocated for a 20 per cent reduction in federal regulatory requirements within three years; a fully digital one-stop government portal for licensing, tax and training services; the creation of a federal innovation and small business ombudsperson; and the introduction of a national upskilling tax credit.

READ MORE: Trump hits Canada with 35 per cent tariffs

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