Province Unveils $100M-Plus Package to Counter U.S. Tariffs

The Manitoba government is responding to the latest U.S. tariffs and escalating trade threats from the Trump administration with more than $100 million in targeted supports to protect Manitoba workers, businesses and producers, Business, Mining, Trade and Job Creation Minister Jamie Moses and Agriculture Minister Ron Kostyshyn announced today.

“Canadians are united in the face of growing threats to our economy and sovereignty from the Trump administration,” said Moses. “Our government is working closely with our federal counterparts to support Manitoba workers, businesses and producers through this period of uncertainty. We encourage Manitobans to continue buying local and supporting homegrown industries as we work together to strengthen our economy.”

The latest escalation in U.S. tariffs is expected to impact a wide range of Manitoba industries, the ministers noted, including manufacturing, agri-food, transportation, construction, wholesale trade, aerospace, forestry, steel, machinery, beverages and related supply chains.

“Our agriculture sector is a cornerstone of Manitoba’s economy and vital to the future of our province,” said Kostyshyn. “We will continue working alongside Manitoba producers to ensure agriculture remains strong, competitive and growing for generations to come.”

The Manitoba government’s response includes targeted measures to help businesses manage cash flow pressures, retain workers, explore new export opportunities and diversify markets.

Additional supports will assist Manitoba producers and provide tax relief to help businesses remain competitive, protect jobs and navigate ongoing trade uncertainty.

The Manitoba government is working closely with the federal government to align tariff response investments and ensure workers and employers in trade-exposed sectors have access to timely supports including job retention measures, skills development opportunities and workforce transition assistance where needed.

Supports will include:

• $50 million for the Manitoba Trade Resilience Loan Program to provide repayable working capital financing at low interest rates;
• $500,000 increase in the Export Support Program
• $250,000 to enhance existing export advisory services to support export readiness and market development
• $500,000 to the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters to expand the Made-in-Manitoba initiative
• $500,000 to support interprovincial trade missions for Manitoba alcohol producers and craft breweries;
• $13.7 million to establish a Tariff Workforce Stabilization and Youth Employment Program to provide wage subsidy supports to employers
• allowing businesses to defer provincially administered tax payments such as retail sales tax and payroll tax payments in respect of the period of Sept. 1 to Dec. 31, 2026.

The Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation (MASC) will be:

• increasing the Operating Credit Guarantee Program to $3 million for individuals, corporations and partnerships;
• increasing the guaranteed portion of loans under both the Operating Credit Guarantee Program and Diversification Loan Guarantee program to 33.33 per cent from 25 per cent;
• expanding eligibility for MASC’s Diversification Loan Guarantee Program to include grain and oilseed operations and allow “investment in primary agricultural infrastructure in Manitoba” as an eligible purpose;
• increasing the loan amount under MASC’s Diversification Loan Guarantee Program to $5 million from $1.5 million.
• Working with Manitoba honey producers at a collaborative table to develop and implement targeted, sector-specific supports.

“Many working families in our province are worried about their economic futures because of Trump’s tariffs. All the instability in the United States makes it that much more important that we have a stable government in Manitoba that is focused on supporting workers,” said Kevin Rebeck, president, Manitoba Federation of Labour. “We are glad to see Premier Kinew and his team are providing supports for businesses hand-in-hand with supports for working people. As we always do, Manitobans will get through this challenge by working together.”

The Manitoba government continues to engage business leaders, industry associations, labour organizations and Indigenous governments through Manitoba’s U.S. Trade Council to monitor the impacts of tariffs and help shape Manitoba’s response.

“The Manitoba business community stands with the province and welcomes the ongoing support for our economy and workforce,” said Bram Strain, president and CEO, Business Council of Manitoba. “It is crucial for all affected industries to have the resources to support employees, retain talent and diversify markets to ensure our province stays competitive and thrives as we adapt to these U.S. tariffs.”

Manitoba is also continuing efforts to strengthen its position as a trade and investment destination by reducing internal trade barriers, expanding international trade opportunities and supporting strategic infrastructure investments that enhance access to domestic and global markets.

“We’re pleased to see the government’s commitment to working with our industry during this pivotal time in trade, particularly with the uncertainty and challenges being faced by Manitoba farmers and those especially hard-hit sectors,” said Jill Verwey, president, Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP). “Agriculture is a capital-intensive business, and this commitment to help support farmers as well as making these increases to loan guarantees will mean crucial access to capital and operating dollars that farmers need now. KAP will keep working closely with the department and the minister’s office to ensure support for producers is timely and structured in a way that works for their operations.”

The Manitoba government is also engaged with the beekeeping industry to develop programming as the industry manages excess supply and seeks market diversification. Beekeepers will also be eligible for all the agriculture business supports announced today, the ministers noted, including loan guarantees for operations and expansions.

Manitoba’s tariff hotline is a dedicated number to providing information and assistance to businesses and workers affected by tariffs. Contact us at 204-945-8011 or toll-free at 1-877-827-4330 (1-877-TARIFF-0) within Manitoba, or to submit an inquiry online, visit: https://U.S. Tariff Inquiries.smartsheet.com/b/form/.