Vancouver clothing brand pauses U.S. shipping amid trade war

Vancouver clothing brand Free Label has paused shipping to U.S. customers, saying the changing rules around exports have become too burdensome amid the Canada-U.S. trade war.

Owner Jessica Sternberg said the made-in-Canada, sustainable and size-inclusive clothing company has had to devote the equivalent of a full-time role to navigating customs requirements since U.S. President Donald Trump's second term began.

Sternberg said American customers account for about 40 per cent of Free Label's business, depending on the month. She described the decision as a significant sacrifice, but said shipping to the United States no longer reflected the company's values and would support a government she believes is harming Canada.

She said the response from Canadian and American customers has been positive. Ottawa retailer Black Coffee Apparel has also stopped shipping to the United States, citing the possibility of losing both merchandise and profit when customers refuse to pay tariffs.

On Friday, Housing and Infrastructure Minister Gregor Robertson announced more than $10 million through the Regional Tariff Response Initiative for 12 B.C. businesses and organizations. Sternberg said her concern is whether local retailers can continue absorbing the costs and warned that small businesses could be lost.

Canada's retaliatory tariffs are scheduled to take effect Sept. 8.