Burlington restaurants, breweries brace for impact of tariffs

BURLINGTON, Vt. —

Burlington restaurants and breweries brace for the impact of President Donald Trump’s newest wave of Canadian tariffs. Small business owners said they are concerned it could cost them more money and deter our northern neighbors from visiting the Queen City this summer.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced Tuesday he’s in agreement with President Trump to raise tariffs to 50% next month.

“It’s not a good situation,” said co-owner of Queen City Brewery Paul Held.

Data showed Canadian credit card spending in Vermont increased by 40% in May 2026 compared to May 2025, according to the state Agency of Commerce and Community Development.

Trump’s announcement comes just days after Vermont Brewers Festival, which seemed optimistic to some vendors.

“It seemed to me that there was more Canadians at this year’s Brew Festival than last year,” said Held.

Now, Held said he could be facing a tough decision with if aluminum tariffs increase again after rising to 50% in June.

“If the price of cans goes up, it’s a cost to us,” said Held. “Whether we defray that cost on with a higher price or not, we don’t really know yet.”

Held said he anticipates he and his partner will pay the difference, especially since they’ve already raised prices within the last year because of inflation.

La Reprise is not currently importing Canadian wine, but its owner Ari Sadri said he does import some cheeses, one of the more than 500 products that are expected to be hit by Trump’s latest tariffs.

“We’ll have to pay more, and in turn we’ll have to charge more,” said Sadri. “Bring up your prices? Yeah, exactly.”

Sadri said Canadian tourists were a substantial part of his business, until recently.

“Historically [in] summer months, the harbor was full of Canadians on boats who would come to town and shop in stores and buy food in restaurants and shops,” said Sadri. “They’re not coming in the same volume that they used to.”

Sadri said he fears Canadian traffic will continue declining when the new tariffs go into effect in the coming weeks.

Sadri said: “It’s going to further alienate a whole group of people.”

The new tariffs are expected to be enforced in late August, leaving some time for negotiations.