Toronto, Ontario — August 22, 2025 — Leads & Copy — Restaurants Canada has welcomed the Canadian government’s decision to remove retaliatory tariffs on U.S. food products. This move is expected to alleviate financial strain on Canadian businesses and address the country’s affordability crisis. The association estimates that these tariffs were costing the foodservice industry at least $100 million per month.
According to Restaurants Canada, the retaliatory tariffs placed a significant burden on foodservice businesses, especially those already struggling with food inflation and operating at a loss or just breaking even. Furthermore, many of the targeted food products were not readily available from domestic or alternative markets.
Restaurants Canada actively lobbied the federal government for months to remove these tariffs, collaborating with other food associations to emphasize the urgency of this issue to various ministers and opposition parties.
Richard Alexander, Executive Vice President, Government Relations and Public Affairs at Restaurants Canada, stated that the removal of these tariffs will help Canadians deal with the affordability crisis and safeguard the 1.2 million jobs within the foodservice industry. He also expressed support for the federal government’s more targeted approach in negotiations with the United States.
Restaurants Canada continues to encourage the Canadian government to collaborate with stakeholders and trade partners to enhance the trade relationship between Canada and the U.S. and to promote trade diversification. The association also advocates for the removal of interprovincial trade barriers.
Kshitija Baindur, Restaurants Canada, 416-887-0343, kbaindur@restaurantscanada.org
Source: Restaurants Canada
