New Brunswick’s premier says uncertainty remains ahead of the expected April 2 tariff announcement by the U.S. president.

However, Susan Holt said she is optimistic that Canada will not face a 25 per cent across-the-board tariff, as many have feared.

Instead, she believes the Trump administration will impose a reduced tariff on a smaller list of Canadian goods.

“What that reduced rate is, I can’t say, I could guesstimate 10 per cent, 15 per cent, but less that 25 per cent,” Holt said during her weekly briefing on tariffs.

“What that reduced list of goods is, at this point, we’re looking at steel and aluminum and auto imports. We anticipate more things will be added, but it’s some measure of progress that it will be less than 25 per cent and less than all goods that come from Canada.”

The premier’s remarks came one day after President Donald Trump announced a 25 per cent on all automobile imports which will take effect on April 2.

While Canada’s auto industry is heavily concentrated in Ontario, Holt said that does not mean New Brunswickers will not be impacted by those tariffs.

“There are a number of New Brunswick businesses that do a lot of business in Ontario, either through supplying goods or services to the auto sector and with different partnerships,” she said.

“As that large sector in Ontario takes a hit like, it’s going to have an impact on the New Brunswick companies that sell and supply to the Ontario auto industry. My worry is that we’re going to see a reduction in sales and demand for New Brunswick businesses.”

Holt unveiled her government’s $162-million tariff response plan on March 4. The four-pillar plan includes support for affected residents, relief for businesses and movement on interprovincial trade.

The premier said any businesses who are being impacted by tariffs, including the auto tariffs just announced, are able to access the various supports being offered.

“The programs are ready for companies to pick up the phone and reach out to Opportunities New Brunswick,” she said, adding the team is “exceptionally responsive.”

Holt said she feels the tariff response plan is appropriate — at least for now. Her government, she said, is prepared to pivot as needed as the tariff impacts shift.

“We’ve got to support our workers. We’ve got to support our entrepreneurs. We’ve got to protect our economy and make sure that we are preserving and securing the economy of New Brunswick,” she said.

“We have to do that in a way that we can afford, that doesn’t dig us into a hole that we can’t get out of in the long term.”