Tariff Troubles: How Small Businesses Can Protect Their Margins

When Sarah started her small manufacturing business in Ontario, she never thought trade policies would be one of her biggest challenges. Her company produced specialty metal parts, and a big chunk of her revenue came from U.S. buyers. Business was steady, and margins were strong—until the new tariffs hit.

Practically overnight, her costs increased. The 25% tariff on Canadian goods meant her U.S. customers would either have to pay significantly more or look for American suppliers. She had two choices: absorb the extra costs and risk lower profits, or adjust her business strategy to stay competitive.

Sarah knew waiting for things to improve was not an option. She had to act fast to protect her bottom line and keep customers from looking elsewhere.

Adjusting Pricing Without Losing Customers

The first thing Sarah did was reevaluate her pricing. She could not afford to fully absorb the tariffs, but she also knew a major price hike could drive customers away. Instead of making drastic changes, she took a more strategic approach.

She offered bulk order discounts to U.S. customers to soften the impact.

She adjusted pricing slightly across all products instead of only on tariffed items.

She locked in long-term contracts with her most loyal customers before they could consider switching suppliers.

Small, calculated changes helped maintain her profit margins without shocking her customer base.

Finding New Markets Beyond the U.S.

Relying too heavily on a single market was no longer an option. Sarah began looking for alternative buyers outside the U.S.. Canada has strong trade agreements with Europe (CETA) and Asia (CPTPP), making those regions viable options.

She reached out to Canadian and European distributors, attended trade shows, and leveraged government export programs to explore new markets. Within a few months, she had secured two European clients, reducing her dependence on U.S. buyers.

She was not alone. Teck Resources, a Canadian mining company, recently announced it would start redirecting zinc exports to Asia instead of the U.S. to avoid tariffs.

Optimizing the Supply Chain to Lower Costs

With tariffs driving up prices, Sarah needed to cut costs elsewhere. She worked closely with suppliers to renegotiate contracts, looked at Canadian-based raw material providers, and streamlined her manufacturing process to reduce waste.

By sourcing some materials locally, she reduced her reliance on U.S. imports, helping to offset tariff-related expenses.

Using Government Support to Ease the Burden

Sarah knew she was not the only business struggling. She looked into Canadian government programs designed to support small businesses affected by trade disruptions. The Canada Small Business Financing Program and export assistance grants gave her access to funding that helped her expand into new markets without taking on unnecessary financial risk.

For small business owners looking for similar resources, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) has been tracking the impact of tariffs and advocating for relief programs. (source)

Adapting for Long-Term Stability

Sarah knew tariffs and trade policies could shift at any time, so building long-term resilience was her ultimate goal. Instead of waiting to see what happened next, she focused on keeping operations flexible, diversifying her customer base, and preparing for ongoing trade uncertainty.

While the tariffs forced her to make changes, they also helped her build a stronger, more adaptable business. She no longer felt at the mercy of a single market or policy decision.

The Bottom Line

Tariffs are challenging, but small business owners still have options. Adjusting pricing, expanding into new markets, optimizing supply chains, and using available government resources can help businesses stay competitive despite trade disruptions.

Sarah's success came from acting early and thinking ahead. The businesses that survive and thrive in uncertain trade environments are the ones that adapt, innovate, and refuse to stand still.