A New Look at International Trade: The Challenges Facing Alberta's Entrepreneurs

"On September 12, Startup Canada's Startup Gov program hosted a critical conversation with a dynamic group of entrepreneurs from Alberta. The discussion highlighted the significant and often complex challenges that Canadian small businesses face when attempting to expand beyond their borders, particularly into the United States. This timely roundtable revealed that while government and ecosystem players offer many supports, navigating international trade in today's volatile climate remains a daunting task for founders."

"Regulatory and Logistical Hurdles: Entrepreneurs highlighted a complex patchwork of provincial and international rules. A skincare entrepreneur shared that a flat tariff of $20 USD per package made it nearly impossible to sustain sales in the U.S. Compounding this, a founder with a successful manufacturing business shared that their products have been arbitrarily rejected at the border by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, creating a crippling level of uncertainty."

"Inefficiencies in the Ecosystem: The roundtable revealed a shared frustration with the lack of access to clear, consolidated information. Participants noted that it is difficult to find a simple, central list of available resources. As one founder put it, the current system is a 134-program maze that can reward grant consultants over founders building real products. Navigating Volatile Markets: MP Corey Hogan, who also has a background as an entrepreneur, acknowledged the volatile times and the fierce competition in global markets."

Canadian entrepreneurs encounter a complex patchwork of provincial and international regulations when trying to expand into the United States. Specific barriers include flat per-package tariffs that destroy margins for small exporters and arbitrary rejections by U.S. Customs and Border Protection that create crippling uncertainty. Access to clear, consolidated information is lacking, and the proliferation of programs creates a 134-program maze that can favor grant consultants over product-building founders. Volatile global markets, complex data and regulatory regimes, cultural differences, and fierce competition further magnify challenges. Founders require streamlined information, predictable border processes, and coordinated supports to scale cross-border.

Read at www.startupcan.ca