Looming tariffs could put cracks in Sask. ceramic business

Looming tariffs on Canadian products going to the United States could put some cracks in a small Saskatchewan ceramics business.

On Thursday, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order to pause tariffs on some Canadian imports that comply with the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement until April 2.

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Anna Russell, owner of Love Mud Pottery in Rosetown, said that while the announcement could give her business a month of breathing room, the import taxes would still significantly affect her bottom line.

“Lots of small businesses don’t have a great margin to work with,” she said. “When you add (tariffs) on top, it definitely impacts us.”

Anna Russell, owner of Love Mud Pottery in Rosetown. (Submitted)

The small business owner said about 80 per cent of her products are sold to the U.S., and she worries the tariffs may hurt the relationships she’s built with those customers.

“It doesn’t just affect me here with my sales; it also affects what they can buy products for,” she said.

While Russell buys her supplies locally, she said tariffs could drive up some of those costs as well, which means she’ll have to decide how much of that to pass on to her customers.

“If something is too expensive, the consumers aren’t going to buy it,” she said. “It’s hard to figure out where to draw the line and try to find a balance.”

While the current trade talks don’t seem to be affecting her customers just yet, Russell said she’s already warned her customers about possible duties or tariffs they might have to pay.

Even after announcing a possible price increase, Russell said she received many messages on social media from customers who still wanted to place orders.

“I would say 85 per cent of the orders were from my friends in the States,” she said

Russell said she doesn’t have a clear strategy for navigating the levies while keeping her prices competitive, and is even considering reducing her prices, despite the fact that means she’d take a hit to her own margins.

Russell said other small business owners have been helping her out, answering questions about tariffs and sharing their knowledge in a time of uncertainty.

Her advice to other small businesses was to be transparent with customers about costs and when they can expect to receive orders.