US tariffs create a sticking point for North America’s last wooden hockey stick maker

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Category: Business

Listening

Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. tariff / ˈtær ɪf / (n.) – a tax a country adds to products that come from another country
    Example:

    High tariffs made it difficult for small companies to buy materials from abroad.


  2. squeeze / skwiz / (v.) – to reduce something, like production, money, or resources, and make it harder for a business to continue or earn money
    Example:

    Changing markets and global conflicts squeeze businesses that buy parts and materials from other countries.


  3. dispute / dɪˈspyut / (n.) – a serious disagreement or argument, especially between two groups, companies, or countries about something important
    Example:

    Trade disputes between countries can make goods more expensive for consumers.


  4. premier / prɪˈmɪər / (n.) – a leader or head of a government in some countries or regions; prime minister
    Example:

    The premiers of different parts of Canada met to discuss new trade policies.


  5. import / ɪmˈpɔrt / (v.) – to bring goods or products into a country from another country, usually to sell or use
    Example:

    The café imported coffee from Brazil last year.


Article

Read the text below.

North America’s last wooden hockey stick factory is facing uncertainty as shifting US tariffs and global competition squeeze production. The operation has roots going back more than a century and continues to make traditional sticks, even as the industry has largely moved overseas and embraced new composite materials.


The factory in Ontario is the only remaining large-scale producer of these sticks in North America, an industry that once thrived in Canada and the United States. Today, it turns out about 400,000 sticks a year, but rising costs, shrinking demand, and trade disputes are putting pressure on production.


US tariffs on Canadian exports have led to delays and unexpected duties at the border, adding to wider uncertainty. Managers say the challenge is keeping prices fair for players while covering the costs of trade barriers.


General manager Bo Crawford says, “Like we see here in the news every day from our prime minister and our premiers that you never know, we just have to roll with it and the president of the US can change his mind day to day, week to week, hour to hour, so yeah, we have to deal with it the best we can and continue doing business and try to take care of our customers the best we can without raising the cost too much. Because the more they sell, the more we sell. So we got to work together and just get through it all as a team, basically.”


The United States has repeatedly signaled tariffs on Canadian exports as part of President Donald Trump’s protectionist trade agenda. The stated goal is to encourage more manufacturing in the United States, but for Canadian businesses, it has introduced added costs and uncertainty in cross-border trade.


The company estimates around a quarter of its sticks are sold in the United States, including custom orders for professional teams.


Tariffs act as a tax on imported goods, and when shipments are flagged at the border, the added cost is passed directly into the final price. For US buyers, that can mean a sudden increase of as much as 30 percent on an order.


This article was provided by The Associated Press.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

  • The article says that US tariffs and trade policies can change quickly, sometimes from “day to day, week to week, hour to hour.” When business conditions keep changing and trade rules are uncertain, how do you think this affects both businesses and consumers? Discuss.
  • What do you think it says about a business or a country that changes its policies often? Would you feel comfortable doing business with them? Why or why not? Discuss.

Discussion B

  • The article says that rising costs, shrinking demand, and global competition are putting pressure on the production of wooden hockey sticks in North America. If you were a small business owner, what would you do when your costs go up (ex. cut costs, try something different)? Why? Discuss.
  • As a consumer, do you think there is something you can do to support small businesses that are under pressure from rising costs, shrinking demand, and global competition? Why or why not? Discuss.