Chamber statement on US-Canada tariff deal

August 19, 2026

Statement from Jessica Walker, President & CEO, Manhattan Chamber of Commerce on announcement that the Trump Administration had reached a tariff deal with Canada:

"We're relieved both countries stepped back from the brink — but relief is not recovery. For months, Manhattan businesses have delayed projects, postponed hiring, and priced contracts under the shadow of a tariff that never had to happen. Uncertainty has a cost even when tariffs don't take effect.

Manhattan's businesses can compete with anyone in the world. What they can't do is plan around trade policy that changes by the week. We urge both governments to make this deal durable and take tariff threats off the table for good. Stability is the pro-growth policy."