{"id":882957,"date":"2026-09-04T10:52:15","date_gmt":"2026-09-04T10:52:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/882957\/"},"modified":"2026-09-04T10:52:15","modified_gmt":"2026-09-04T10:52:15","slug":"stayin-in-canada-these-artists-halt-sales-to-u-s-amid-new-50-tariff-on-original-art","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/882957\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Stayin\u2019 in Canada\u2019: These artists halt sales to U.S. amid new 50% tariff on original art"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Text<\/p>\n

Listen to this article<\/p>\n

Estimated 4 minutes<\/p>\n

The audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results.<\/p>\n

Chris Warburton Hulme was \u201cappalled\u201d when she learned that U.S. President Donald Trump\u2019s latest round of 50 per cent tariffs on nearly $28 billion worth of Canadian goods included original artwork.<\/p>\n

For the mixed-media artist<\/a> from Eastern Passage, N.S., that was the final straw. Despite about half of her customers being American, she will no longer ship her pieces south of the border.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry, it\u2019s not going to the U.S. anymore. It\u2019s stayin\u2019 in Canada,\u201d said Hulme.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s original artwork. It should be free speech. It should be freedom of expression. And to tariff that \u2026 it restricts everything that an artist should be able to do.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

The new tariffs<\/a> apply to a range of Canadian art, including paintings, drawings, collages, decorative plaques, engravings, prints, sculptures and more.<\/p>\n

While the Canadian government announced dollar-for-dollar counter-tariffs<\/a> on products imported from the U.S. effective Sept. 8, the retaliatory measures do not include original art.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"AOne of Hulme’s latest pieces featuring the iconic pro-Canadian phrase, ‘Elbows Up!’ (Celina Aalders\/CBC)<\/p>\n

Cole Harbour artist Miranda Jordan<\/a> has also halted all sales to the states.<\/p>\n

She said since the trade war first began, it\u2019s been challenging to navigate the ever-changing rules and shipping restrictions.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t work for the U.S. government and I don\u2019t want to be an unpaid customs clerk for them, so I\u2019m just not doing it anymore,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\"AMiranda Jordan paints on repurposed bottles and glassware to create accent lamps. She sells her products online, which has been her full-time gig for years. (David Laughlin\/CBC)<\/p>\n

\u201cI would rather just do designs that appeal to Canadians and ship to Canadians.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Journalist and former CBC Radio host Tod Maffin said he wanted to use his large social media following to support small businesses impacted by the latest tariffs.\u00a0<\/p>\n

He and his wife started an online directory<\/a> where people can promote their products, while customers can browse locally made items.<\/p>\n

Maffin said while the federal government has been offering financial support<\/a> for larger industries, he doesn\u2019t want the small players to be overlooked.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThat often leaves a lot of the smaller parts of the engine of our economy \u2014 which are the small businesses, the home businesses, the hobby businesses \u2014 that may not be employing five or 10 people, but may be a really important part of putting food on the table for that family,\u201d said Maffin.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cI think that\u2019s just as important.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"ASome of Jordan’s hand-painted lamps, including one adorned with a maple leaf. (David Laughlin\/CBC)<\/p>\n

CARFAC National, a non-profit advocacy group for professional artists in Canada, said in a statement that artists \u201ccannot be an afterthought\u201d in the country\u2019s response to the trade war.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cCanadian artists are independent workers and entrepreneurs,” said interim executive director Jenna Faye. \u201cUnlike large businesses and corporations, individual artists don\u2019t have the financial resources to absorb new costs associated with these tariffs.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Targeting Canadian buyers\u00a0<\/p>\n

While the new tariffs have already hindered their operations, Hulme and Jordan are both adapting and taking the opportunity to target Canadian buyers.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know that people want to support their creative community,\u201d said Hulme. \u201cSometimes they can\u2019t afford a $300 piece of art, but they can afford a $10 card.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Hulme said she\u2019s registering for more craft shows to get her work in front of local audiences, and she also plans to start a series of paintings inspired by trail-blazing Canadian women.<\/p>\n

Jordan said she hopes people will make a concerted effort to buy local and engage with Canadian creators when possible.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt doesn\u2019t mean, of course, that we can all go out and spend all of our money on art before we start paying our mortgages, or rent, or food on the table. But I think art really does make life colourful,\u201d she said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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