‘Waterloo Region is all in’: Local leaders react to U.S. tariff pause

Local politicians are breathing a sigh of relief as Canada and the US agree to put potential tariffs on pause, but in the buildup to Monday’s deadline a number of plans were put in place.

“Waterloo Region is all in,” said Regional Chair Karen Redman in a statement posted to social media on Monday.

Redman said the Region of Waterloo will support any responsive or retaliatory measures taken by the provincial and federal governments in the face of any potential tariffs from the US.

“We stand with our partners at all levels of government, and we too will work to protect our economy, community and quality of life in Waterloo Region,” added Redman.

Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic was also very critical of the tariffs before they went on pause, calling the move from US President Donald Trump “an unjustified and indefensible economic attack on Canada that will hurt everyone.”

Redman announced that she has directed regional staff to look at options and actions that would limit the impact of any potential tariffs on regional services, and has also requested that the Waterloo Economic Development Corporation (Waterloo EDC) develop an action plan to both support local businesses and local economic interest as a whole.

Vrbanovic released a similar statement, adding that the city will work with provincial and federal levels to provide support to local businesses and residents.

Following Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s announcement of the tariff pause, Vrbanovic commended Trudeau and Canadian premiers, adding that there’s a lot of work to be done in the next 30 days.

Guelph Mayor Cam Guthrie also took to X to celebrate the announcement.