windsor-essex tariff task force created to tackle 'gravity and severity' of threat
the windsor-essex regional chamber of commerce and inve...
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canadian and american flags fly along the windsor riverfront near the ambassador bridge on wednesday, jan. 8, 2025.
dan janisse
/
windsor star
the windsor-essex regional chamber of commerce and invest windsoressex announced the creation of the windsor-essex economic trade task force thursday, which will serve as the unified voice for economic development and trade in the windsor-essex region.
“this is a direct response to the tariffs issue,” windsor-essex regional chamber of commerce ceo ryan donally said.
“if these tariffs become a reality, we want to be ready with a group of business, community and non-profit leaders to deal with it. we understand the gravity and severity this will have on our community.”
the task force has already met twice and will continue to meet weekly or more often if needed. donally said the concept is similar to the covid task force set up to help navigate the pandemic.
the task force will include a mix of representatives from local chambers of commerce, economic development, tourism, city and county officials, manufacturing, agricultural, technology and construction industries, the consulate general of canada in detroit, windsor detroit borderlink ltd. and the windsor-detroit bridge authority.
donally said windsor’s economy is particularly vulnerable to a tariff war with our two largest employment sectors, manufacturing and agriculture, shipping an overwhelming amount of their products to the u.s.
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the task force has already formed subcommittees to focus on those two industries and is in the process of creating one for professionals composed of accountants, lawyers and customs brokers to deal with the border challenges tariffs present.
“the first thing we recognize is windsor essex we’ll be the number one hardest hit city in canada that isn’t dependent on the oil industry,” donally said.
“we must ensure our voice, if tariffs happen, is heard and our businesses are represented with government officials making decisions. if there are relief programs rolled out, we need to ensure our employers can keep employing their workers.”
one of the key responsibilities for the task force will be engaging with the public and communicating information about programs and strategies.
invest windsoressex has created a new website specifically to do that at: investwindsoressex.com/windsor-essex-economic-trade-task-force.
“invest windsoressex is committed to fostering a strong and competitive business environment for our region,” said keith andrews, invest windsoressex’s advisor to the board and chief operating officer.
“the windsor-essex economic trade task force will play a vital role in ensuring that businesses have the necessary resources and support to navigate the current trade challenges.
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“by working collaboratively with our partners, we will advocate for policies and solutions that protect jobs, increase productivity and global competitiveness and sustain economic growth in windsor-essex.”
however, donally added there’s no getting away from windsor’s advantage of being located at the u.s. border. that will require looking at adjusting strategy and maintaining partnerships with detroit even while trying to find new markets.
“if we try to rely on more canadian trade, we have to remember we’ll be at the tail end of canada, not at the beginning of canada as we’re now with trade,” donally said. “we don’t want to frame it that way.
“the canadian market is also one-tenth the size.”
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