Windsor-Essex Economic Trade Task Force

Who we are

Chaired by the Windsor Essex Chamber of Commerce and Invest WindsorEssex, the Windsor-Essex Economic Trade Task Force (Windsor-Essex ETTF) brings together local businesses, leaders and community stakeholders to serve as a unified voice for economic development and trade in the Windsor-Essex region.

The Windsor-Essex ETTF aims to work in a timely manner to collect, coordinate and disseminate information on strategies, programs and other remedies to alleviate the impact this will have on the well-being of workers, entrepreneurs and businesses in the Windsor-Essex regional economy.

Provide valuable insights through diverse communication channels.
Provide up-to-date resources, support programs and relevant information.
Submit recommendations to government bodies.
Highlight the impact of economic developments on local businesses and industries.
Advocate for supportive measures to relevant government agencies.

Anthony Mascaro, Roth Mosey

Federica Nazzani, Capital Assist (Valuation)

John Blanken, Doane Grant Thornton

Matthew Johnson, City of Windsor, Economic Development

Nancy Creighton, Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade

Ray Fischer, KPMG LLP

Tal Czudner, Windsor Detroit Borderlink

Walter Benzinger, NMP

Windsor-Essex Chamber of Commerce and Invest WindsorEssex launch the Windsor-Essex Economic Trade Task Force

25% tariffs put billions of Windsor-Essex exports at risk

Windsor-Essex annual demand for all goods and services

Total exports from Windsor-Essex to jurisdictions outside the region

Windsor-Essex major export industries by dollar value (2022)

NAICS	Industry	Export Value	Employment
3361	Motor vehicle manufacturing	$9,788,053,512	2,849
3363	Motor vehicle parts manufacturing*	$4,488,365,465	5,984
1110	Farms**	$3,942,024,003	4,719
3335	Metalworking machinery manufacturing	$2,427,655,771	5,117
3339	Other general-purpose machinery manufacturing	$1,259,497,157	1,604

Windsor-Essex demand for imported goods (2022)

NAICS	Industry	Import Value	% Demand met by imports
3361	Motor vehicle manufacturing	$3,977,781,750	85.0%
3363	Motor vehicle parts manufacturing*	$2,659,606,181	50.7%
1110	Farms**	$1,636,820,109	53.2%
3311	Iron and steel mills and ferro-alloy manufacturing	$1,227,535,379	85.7%
2361	Residential building construction	$777,146,925	51.0%

*Does not include automotive plastic parts

** Includes greenhouses

Source: Lightcast Q3 2024 data set

Fact Sheets: Key dollar figures and employment impact on Michigan’s
goods exports to Canada and Canadian-owned businesses.

Tariff events

Navigating cross-border wealth challenges

Navigating the complexities of cross-border tax and estate planning requires a deep understanding of international regulations and their implications. In this session, BDO professionals will explore the challenges and opportunities associated with managing wealth across multiple jurisdictions. Topics will include tax treaties, residency considerations, and compliance requirements. Attendees will discover strategies…

Watch past events:

What is Next for Ontario? The Ontario Chamber of Commerce 2025 Economic Outlook and Business Confidence Analysis (Feb. 13, 2025)
Running your business in 2025: Building resilience in a changing world [On demand webinar]
Navigating new global tariffs: Impact on Canadian businesses and how to take action [On demand webinar]

Media coverage

Since the launch of the Windsor-Essex Economic Task Force, numerous interviews and articles have been published. See the Media Scan

Tariffs and customs

Section 232 tariffs now in effect:

25% ad valorem tariffs apply to all steel and aluminum articles and listed derivatives.
Includes many automotive, construction, and consumer products.

Russia-specific tariffs:

200% tariffs apply to aluminum articles and derivatives from Russia.

Reporting requirements:

Mandatory “melted and poured” / “smelted and cast” origin reporting for all steel and aluminum items.

Exclusions and quotas:

All existing quotas and general/country exclusions have been terminated.

Additional duties:

Section 232 tariffs are in addition to other duties (e.g., IEEPA tariffs on China, Mexico, Canada).

Retaliatory measures:

Expected from the EU, Canada, and other producing countries.
Australia will not impose retaliatory measures.
Mexico may delay or limit its retaliatory response to similar products.

US-CBP guidance:

Updated CSMS confirms US-CBP is ready to collect duties on newly listed steel and aluminum articles (per Annex 1. 2025-04210.pdf).
Confirms Secretary of Commerce’s certification of readiness.
CSMS # 64384496 – UPDATED GUIDANCE: Import Duties on Imports of Aluminum and Aluminum Derivative Products
CSMS # 64384423 – UPDATED GUIDANCE: Import Duties on Imports of Steel and Steel Derivative Products
CSMS # 64375535 – Quota Guidance: Proclamation 10896 of February 10, 2025, Adjusting Imports of Steel and Aluminum into the United States

The process for requesting remission of tariffs that apply on certain goods from the U.S.

List of products from the United States subject to 25 per cent tariffs effective March 4, 2025

Questions/inputs regarding tariffs and adding/removing HS codes from the United States-made products should be directed to: financepublic-financepublique@fin.gc.ca

By April 19, 2025, all commercial importers to Canada must post financial security, such as a surety bond, in the CARM Client Portal to maintain Release Prior to Payment (RPP) privileges, with a minimum bond amount of $5,000 per RM importer program account.

Issue of Surety bond insufficiency will be of concern to importers and to Customs Brokers.
Almost immediately, the brokerage industry will respond to protect itself from increased risk and costs by demanding security deposits and increased fees. This will quickly drain SME cash flow and access to capital right at the beginning of what will likely be a prolonged crisis. In this context CBSA – Canada Assessment and Revenue Management (CARM) is requiring Canadian importers to post a Canadian surety bond by 3 a.m., May 20, 2025. Read the media release.

To qualify for preferential treatment when imported into the U.S., a good must meet the CUSMA rules of origin, which determine how much production must be undertaken in North America for goods to be considered originating under the Agreement. Learn more

Tariff tools: Export Development Canada

Tariff tools: MNP

Government support programs and resources

Federal programs and incentives are available to businesses.

Browse through their resources to support businesses in the face of trade uncertainty page.

Access thousands of government programs and services—federal, provincial and municipal—through the mobile app designed for Canadian businesses and entrepreneurs.

Find tariff rates and trade agreements relevant to your business.

The Government of Canada is providing resources and solutions to help you manage the potential effects of the evolving Canada-United States relationship.

Guidance for businesses navigating trade policies.

Financing and risk management for exporters.

A Canadian Crown corporation and agricultural term lender.

To support the Canadian agriculture and food industry as U.S. tariffs are implemented, Farm Credit Canada is providing $1 billion in new lending to help alleviate financial challenges.

Contact the Essex office to discuss your situation and available options. Telephone: 519-776-4219.

The Made in Canada Grocery Guide is a curated resource that highlights locally produced grocery products, empowering Canadian consumers to support domestic food producers while discovering high-quality, homegrown offerings.

Ontario Made brings together manufacturers and makers, retailers and consumers to celebrate and promote the many world-class products that are made right here. They are dedicated to helping consumers identify Ontario-made products, celebrate what is Ontario Made, and support the purchase of Ontario-made products.

Source WindsorEssex is a regional database that helps you find Windsor-Essex suppliers across key sectors. Find suppliers, explore regional capabilities and collaborate on innovative projects.

The Trillium Network for Advanced Manufacturing’s Manufacturing Ecosystem Map is a dynamic resource that visually connects advanced manufacturing stakeholders, research institutions, and innovation hubs to foster collaboration and drive industry growth.

Windsor-Essex is designated as a Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ), which allows tax and tariff exemptions to promote cross-border business and production. Invest WindsorEssex leads the Foreign Trade Zone programs for the region and is a one-stop-shop for information on Canada’s FTZ policies and programs.

Visit WindsorEssexFTZ.ca for more information.

The Government of Canada has established a weekly forum for industry stakeholders to receive regular updates on Canada-U.S. issues and ensure a regular channel of communication between industry and government. To participate in this weekly Finance Canada call on Canada-U.S. issues, you must first register by contacting issuesCanAmenjeux@fin.gc.ca and provide them your organization’s name, full name and email address.

As a next step in its plan to protect Ontario by unleashing the province’s economy, the Ontario government is introducing the Protect Ontario through Free Trade within Canada Act to unlock free trade and labour mobility within Canada. This legislation will, if passed, create new opportunities for job creation and investment attraction, supporting economic integration across Canada and cutting costly and unnecessary red tape to help protect and grow Ontario and Canada’s economies. Read the media release.

Upcoming trade missions and conferences

Best Defence Conference (Oct. 21 – 22, 2025) – a premier Canadian aerospace, defence and public safety conference addressing the air, land, naval, C4ISR, IT/IM and public safety capability domains.
Grocery Innovations Canada (Oct. 28 – 29, 2025) – A platform for the latest technological advancements and sustainable solutions in the grocery retail sector. Attendees can look forward to engaging with industry leaders, exploring innovative trends, and discovering new strategies to transform the future of grocery operations in Canada.
Emerging Technologies in Automation & Mobility Transformation Conference & Trade Show (Oct. 29, 2025) – This event brings together international leaders in automation and technology, experts in advanced manufacturing, mobility and supply chain purchasers.

Subscribe to updates

This online resource is currently under development to provide the region with current information, resources, supports and contacts to help local businesses navigate these challenges. As the task force develops this tool, businesses are encouraged to submit their contact information to receive regular updates.