As global trade tensions continue to shift, BC-based apparel and gear businesses are paying close attention to U.S. tariff changes. These changes can impact supply chains, raise costs, and make it harder for local brands to compete. In response, the Province of British Columbia has launched a comprehensive support strategy to help businesses adapt, grow, and stay resilient.

Whether you’re designing technical gear, manufacturing apparel locally, or exporting BC-made products, the provincial response includes programs that can directly support your operations, reduce risk, and unlock new opportunities.

What’s in BC’s Tariff Response?

British Columbia’s and Canada’s Response to U.S. Tariffs includes a coordinated three-point plan:

Respond
Appealing directly to American decision-makers and staying united with Canada to respond through nationally coordinated retaliation if required.

Strengthen
Fast-tracking major projects that create good-paying jobs and increase local economic resilience.

Diversify
Finding new markets for B.C. goods and reducing trade barriers within Canada to lower our reliance on U.S. trade.

Key Supports for BC Apparel and Gear Companies

The Province is spotlighting programs and resources designed to help local businesses, including apparel brands, manufacturers, and gear companies, stay competitive, scale up, and innovate, even in times of trade uncertainty:

Export Navigator

Get one-on-one support to explore new markets for your apparel or gear business. Whether you’re targeting Asia, Europe, or new regions across Canada, this program sets you up with the resources and support you need to export.

Who is eligible: All businesses located in B.C.

Trade Accelerator Program (TAP)

Perfect for growing apparel brands, TAP offers essential strategies, resources, and mentorship to help businesses scale and develop effective export plans. This proven program equips small and medium-sized enterprises with the tools needed to expand internationally, providing hands-on support to tap into new markets and achieve measurable results in global trade.

Who is eligible: Available to all businesses in B.C.

Trade and Invest BC

Trade and Invest BC can help your businesses expand globally by connecting you with international buyers, distributors, and suppliers. With a network across markets like China, Japan, and Europe, they provide resources to grow sales, broaden opportunities, and boost competitiveness.

BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund

The BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund supports manufacturing companies with funding for capital projects that drive innovation and growth. The program helps businesses modernize operations, adopt new technologies, and enhance competitiveness. 

Note: While the fund is closed, stay tuned for future opportunities to elevate your apparel and gear manufacturing capabilities.

Who is eligible: Businesses, for-profit organizations, entities with for-profit manufacturing operations, including First Nations and Indigenous- and First Nation-owned enterprises.

CleanBC Programs

CleanBC offers funding to help B.C. businesses reduce emissions, adopt clean technologies, and improve energy efficiency. See rebates and incentives page for what is currently available.

Who is eligible: See program pages for eligibility.

Innovate BC – Integrated Marketplace

This initiative can help apparel and gear businesses test innovative technologies in real-world settings through approved testbeds. Projects must support decarbonization, productivity, competitiveness, or health and safety. IM offers a pathway to generate performance data, secure a major reference customer, and support scale-up and export growth.

Who is eligible: Eligible companies operating within the three approved testbeds may submit a project proposal to the IM program upon agreeing to IM’s program conditions.

👉 Browse the full list of provincial support programs here.

Why It Matters to Our Industry

The BC apparel and gear sector is uniquely positioned. We create locally, compete globally, and lead with innovation and sustainability. Tariff shifts can affect everything from raw material costs to sales strategy. These supports can help you:

• Offset increased costs through innovation and modernization

• Access new markets beyond the U.S.

• Strengthen local supply chains and production capabilities

• Future-proof your operations and stay competitive

Add Your Voice

The Province is actively engaging with BC businesses to shape a meaningful response. If you’re experiencing challenges or have insights from your work in the apparel and gear space, your input is welcomed.

📬 Submit your feedback here.

Stay Connected

By planning ahead and making the most of available support, BC apparel and gear companies can stay resilient and ready for whatever comes next. The provincial approach is clear: respond strategically, build locally, and grow globally.

Together, we can shape a resilient future for BC’s apparel and gear industry.

With talks of new tariffs on the horizon, many in the B.C. apparel industry are wondering what this means for day-to-day business. We’ve been chatting with our industry friends and want to share some thoughts on how tariffs might affect us and what we can do to stay ahead.

Tariffs: What Are They and What Is Happening?

Tariffs are additional taxes imposed on goods when they cross borders. While specific figures are not yet available, industry experts predict that new tariffs would raise the cost of materials and finished products. This would lead to higher prices for consumers, which may affect demand, especially as people are already dealing with inflation in areas like food and everyday items.

Key Things to Know:

• 25% Tariff on Canadian-Made Goods: If implemented, anything labeled "Made in Canada" could face a 25% tariff when exported to the U.S.

• Changes to De Minimis Rule (Section 321): Currently, shipments under $800 to the U.S. are exempt from duties and tariffs. However, Canada might be excluded from this exemption if tariffs are introduced, impacting businesses that rely on small cross-border shipments.

How Could This Impact B.C. Apparel & Gear Professionals?

New tariffs could lead to higher costs on inbound raw materials, finished products, and transportation. For B.C. apparel and gear professionals, this could mean:

• Increased Costs: Businesses may need to raise prices, which could reduce consumer demand.

• Small Business Challenges: Balancing price adjustments while maintaining product quality will be crucial.

• Larger Business Pressures: Larger businesses may absorb some costs, but margin pressures will still be a concern.

• Shifting Supply Chains: Companies may need to explore alternative suppliers or sourcing strategies to reduce the impact.

What You Can Do to Prepare

While there’s no one-size-fits-all solution, staying informed, flexible, and proactive will be crucial. Here are some steps to consider:

• Focus on Local and Canadian-Made

• Strengthen partnerships with domestic manufacturers and suppliers.

• Advocate for tax breaks or benefits for Canadian-made products to support domestic purchasing.

• Explore New Markets

• Expand into regions outside of the U.S., such as the EU and Asia, where consumer demand remains strong.

• Diversifying your customer base can help offset potential losses due to tariffs.

• Be Strategic About Pricing

• Gradual price increases may be necessary, but businesses should be mindful of customer sensitivity.

• Consider bundling or subscription-based models to add value while maintaining margins.

• Look for Government Grants & Support

• Explore available federal grants and funding programs that could offset financial strain.

• Stay updated on potential incentives for Canadian-made products or changes in tax policies (e.g., possible exemptions from GST/PST).

• Monitor Government Actions & Industry Advocacy

• The Canadian government is considering retaliatory measures, and changes could happen quickly.

• Keep an eye on trade discussions, as potential renegotiations of CUSMA/USMCA may influence the future of tariffs.

• BCAG is in active discussions with Federal industry groups to ensure that apparel and gear professionals in B.C. have representation at the table.

• Stay Connected and Collaborate

• Networking and sharing insights within the industry can help businesses navigate these challenges together.

• Participate in forums, industry events, and associations to stay informed and contribute to the collective response.

What’s Next?

In these uncertain times, the best way to move forward is together. Whether you’re an apparel designer, brand, manufacturer, or retailer, we’re all in this together. It’s more important than ever to support Canadian-made products, build strong local supply chains, and continue innovating to keep our industry resilient.

As a community, we can navigate these challenges and keep B.C.’s apparel and gear industry thriving. 

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