Local businesses are watching closely as the provincial and federal governments respond to US President-elect Donald Trump's threat of tariffs on all Canadian goods.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with all premiers to discuss the issue this week. During the meeting, Ontario Premier Doug Ford urged the federal government to take a more proactive approach to the border and to match U.S. tariffs on China.
Windsor Chamber of Commerce Interim President Tony Haddad indicated many local companies have expressed concern.
"It's certainly creating some chaos which he is known to do. How it's going to play out moving forward I think that's where the strategy will come into play as developed by our federal leaders with input from the various provinces," said Haddad.
He also said retaliatory tariffs will not benefit businesses on either side of the border.
"Tariffs are going to have a negative impact on business, on cross-border trade, on employment, on consumers, again the relationships that we've enjoyed between the two countries. How would [retaliatory tariffs] work, would they offset each other? I think they would simply add additional costs," said Haddad.
Trump takes office on January 20 and has threatened to implement a 25 per cent tariff on all Canadian goods immediately.