Chemicals industry, rails brace for Trump tariffs on Canada, Mexico [Video]

U.S. trade with Canada and Mexico is back in the crosshairs of the second Trump administration, with the threat made by President Trump to place 25% tariffs on goods from both North American border nations to start on February 1. Much of the focus has centered on autos and other consumer items, but Canada is also the top trading partner of the U.S. for critical chemicals, an industry now bracing for the potential impact.

In 2023, U.S. firms sold more than $28 billion in chemicals to customers in Canada and approximately $25 billion in chemicals from Canadian partners are exported to the U.S. annually, according to the American Chemistry Council. Canada is also a top critical mineral provider to the U.S. for EV battery production.

Mineral firms in Canada are considered domestic sources under Title …