Business owners on both sides of the Canada-US border are expressing concern as a trade war between the two nations escalates, with tit-for-tat import taxes affecting various industries. Cindy Baldassi, a Canadian jewellery maker, is one such business owner who relies heavily on American buyers for her sales and now faces the possibility of losing half of her business due to new tariffs. On September 8th, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced levies on US steel, dairy, appliances, electronics, among other products. This comes in response to President Donald Trump's tariffs on Canadian exports worth around $20 billion, including wine, dairy, cement, clothing, and hockey equipment, which took effect on Saturday. The uncertainty is especially challenging for smaller businesses that have already been impacted by the ongoing trade tensions. For instance, Matteo Sgaramella of Toronto-based menswear brand Outclass faces increased costs for products ordered by US stores months ago, with no clear solution in sight. Meanwhile, across the border, American companies are also feeling the strain, such as Paloma Clothing in Portland, Oregon, whose best-selling item could potentially increase significantly in price due to new tariffs. The escalating trade war is proving a delicate balance for some businesses as both sides dig their heels in. The potential loss of sales and increased costs threaten the survival of many small businesses, while larger companies may have more resources to weather the storm.