Canada's new tariffs: Are small businesses 'cannon fodder' in the trade war?

September 7 | Duration 6:11 As Canada's counter-tariffs on U.S. products come into effect, some small-business owners say that while they understand the urge to fight, they’ll take a major blow from these levies. For The National, CBC's Nick Purdon hears from business owners trying to survive more tariffs, which one advocate calls 'economic chemotherapy.' Social Sharing Canadian businesses are opening Tuesday for the first time under the federal government's new dollar-for-dollar tariffs on $28 billion worth of U.S. imports. As many owners brace for higher costs and supply-chain issues, experts say consumers may not notice much impact.

The new levies took effect at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, hitting nearly 700 American products at rates ranging from 15 per cent to 50 per cent. Affected items range from commodities such as steel and aluminum to household goods such as toilet paper and niche products including coin-operated arcade games.