US Tariffs Threat A 'Shock' To Canadian Businesses

A truck prepares to enter the United States at a border crossing in Blackpool, Canada, a country which has vowed to hit back if Washington goes ahead with 25 percent tariffs on Canadian imports (Credit: AFP)

Donald Trump's threats of import tariffs have sent shockwaves through Canada, forcing businesses to question their dependence on the United States -- a reassessment that is creating headaches for many sectors.

"It was an absolute shock," Matthew Holmes, vice president of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, told AFP. "There's an incredible anxiety that comes from the unpredictability and the uncertainty."