THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLYWith the Trump White House’s 50% tariff threats looming, thousands of Canadian small businesses are girding themselves for the worst. “The small studio in Ontario shipping paintings to a gallery in New York, or a sawmill in B.C. shipping panels to a builder in Seattle is being walloped by the 50% tax threat,” said CFIB President Dan Kelly. “If the tariffs come into effect next week, they will cause massive dislocation for small businesses that rely on U.S. clients and American buyers that rely on Canadian suppliers.” Trump identified prohibitions on the sale of American alcohol, Canada’s agricultural supply management framework and Ottawa’s automotive counter-tariffs as the U.S.’s main trade irritants.