The Associated Equipment Distributors (AED) used its annual advocacy day to urge the Canadian government to put free and fair trade with the United States at the center of the CUSMA review and renewed negotiations with Washington. The group said an integrated North American economy works, while tariffs on either side of the border raise costs for farmers, contractors, miners and builders that Canada relies on for growth.
AED president and CEO Brian P. McGuire said equipment used to build Canada is manufactured, sourced and serviced on both sides of the border, and many components cross the border several times before a machine reaches a customer. He argued each tariff imposed by Washington or Ottawa adds cost at every crossing, with farmers, contractors and municipalities ultimately bearing those costs, along with Canadian families.
The association said it was disappointed in August when the two countries failed to reach a trade agreement and has since increased advocacy in both countries. In September, McGuire wrote to U.S. governors in states with significant exposure to Canadian trade, asking them to push for a return to the bargaining table. AED's U.S. members also met with more than 100 members of the U.S. House and Senate, while AED Canadian board member Brian Osterndorff presented the association's case to the Senate of Canada.
McGuire described resolve as strong and said equipment dealers and manufacturers in both countries agree that free and fair trade is the best route to prosperity for the sectors AED serves. He said the association aims to ensure Canadian decision-makers understand what is at stake and to encourage efforts to bring both governments back to the table.
He also linked trade stability to purchasing decisions and project delivery. When customers cannot rely on stable prices and trade rules, they postpone purchases, McGuire said. Those delays reduce work for technicians and hold back projects Canada needs in housing, critical minerals and food production, he added.
AED's recommendations
- Seek tariff certainty and sector-specific relief. AED wants exemptions and clearer tariff relief for heavy equipment as part of CUSMA discussions, and it called for all diplomatic channels to be used to prevent new tariffs on equipment and components.
- Avoid retaliation aimed at equipment. Tariffs and retaliatory tariffs on industrial goods would hit Canadian farmers, contractors and resource producers first, according to AED. Any Canadian response should be carefully targeted and should not penalize equipment Canadians use to build and produce, the group said.
- Set predictable rules for critical components. AED noted that engine parts, safety electronics and other specialized inputs frequently lack a practical supplier outside North America.
- Work with industry and labour. The association recommended assessing the full tariff impact and developing contingency measures to protect Canadian jobs and investment.
- Build resilience at home. AED called for advancing critical infrastructure and supporting skilled trades training so Canadian industries can invest with confidence.
McGuire said sectors governments rely on to build housing, develop critical minerals, strengthen energy security and feed Canadians all depend on reliable equipment access and integrated North American supply chains. He described heavy equipment as an enabling industry and said AED is ready to partner with government.