Toronto business owner disappointed by tariffs but proud as a Canadian
Since the start of Trump’s trade war, Kimberly Turner-Briscoe says she’s had countless sleepless nights trying to figure out how to keep her business going.
As president of a Toronto-based steel fastener supplier and distributor, she says she’s had to make tough choices over the past few years, including pivoting business away from the U.S. and laying off some of her staff.
“Business is not for the faint of heart. It used to be a lot more fun than it is right now,” she said.
As a business owner, Turner-Briscoe said she’s disappointed about how tariffs, especially Canada’s 25 per cent sectional tariffs on fasteners, impact her company and her customers.
But as a Canadian, she was proud that the negotiation team walked away from a bad deal. She said she’s also happy to see a shift in buying Canadian amongst her customers and community.
“We can’t be so dependent on the U.S. If nothing else, this is teaching us a lesson,” Turner-Briscoe said.
