Who we are
Chaired by the Windsor-Essex Regional 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.
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
goods exports to Canada and Canadian-owned businesses.
Tariff events
RBC Economic Update
Join the Royal Bank of Canada for an economic update (in simple terms) with RBC Economist, Carrie Freestone. They will be covering off the economic effects of tariffs on Canada and what we can expect in the coming months, as well as the impacts on interest rates, inflation, and the…
Pathways to Business Growth: Funding and Support Opportunities (Windsor)
Learn about key funding programs and community improvement supports designed to help your business thrive and succeed. Looking to expand, innovate, or enhance your operations? Join Invest WindsorEssex for an in-person information session featuring industry experts from provincial, federal and municipal organizations. Learn about key funding programs and community improvement supports designed…
Weekly APMA members update with Flavio Volpe
With rapid and evolving change in the Canadian auto industry, the APMA is launching a weekly members call with APMA President Flavio Volpe to discuss the biggest challenges and headlines of the week. …
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
Recent news about tariffs
- March 12, 2025: Canada hitting the U.S. with dollar-for-dollar retaliation for Trump’s ‘unfair’ steel and aluminum tariffs
- March 11, 2025: Trump says Canada will pay big ‘financial price’ for Ontario’s retaliatory measures in ongoing trade war
- March 7, 2025: Media Release (Finance Canada): Fighting for Canadian workers and businesses
- March 7, 2025: Ottawa announces $6 billion aid package for businesses hit by trade war (with video)
- March 6, 2025: Trump delays tariffs for all USMCA-compliant goods for both Mexico and Canada
- March 6, 2025: Trump delays tariffs on Mexico
- March 5, 2025: Economic Trade Task Force rallying support for local businesses
- March 5, 2025: White House open to more exemptions after pausing auto tariffs
- March 4, 2025: Ontario Premier Doug Ford Holds a News Conference
- March 4, 2025: PM Trudeau speaks with reporters as Canada responds to U.S. tariffs
- March 4, 2025: The United States imposed 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian and Mexican goods, with a 10 per cent tariff on energy and critical minerals, and increased tariffs of 20 per cent on China
- Feb. 10, 2025: The United States imposes a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum imports, effective March 12, 2025
- Feb. 3, 2025: The United States government pauses the proposed tariffs against Canadian goods and products for 30 days
- Feb 1, 2025: Canada announces $155B tariff package in response to unjustified United States tariffs
Tariffs and customs
Tariff tools: Export Development Canada
- U.S. Market Intelligence: Insights and analysis on the business environment of Canada’s largest export market
- FAQs: What Canadian exporters need to know about the impact of U.S. tariffs
- Interactive Tool: Canada Tariff Finder
Tariff tools: NMP
- Take the three-minute tariff exposure risk assessment
- Trade Impact Navigator: Insights and explainer articles to stay agile and resilient
Government support programs and resources
Upcoming trade missions and conferences
- Hannover Messe (March 31 – April 4, 2025) – A landmark event in the industrial technology sector, gathering global innovators and leading companies under one roof. This year’s fair will showcase cutting-edge advancements in automation, digitalization, and sustainable energy, setting the stage for the future of manufacturing and industry.
- SIAL Canada (April 29 – May 1, 2025) – A meeting place for the Canadian agri-food industry. The only event of its kind in Canada, bringing together more than 1,000+ national and international exhibitors from 44 countries.
- 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.