08:13 AM EST, 02/13/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Nearly one in five (18%) small- and medium-sized Canadian businesses (SMEs) are experiencing canceled or paused orders due to the ongoing uncertainty around the United States-Canada tariff situation, finds new data by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB).

That number rises to 34% among exporters, noted CFIB on Thursday.

"The uncertainty around tariffs is almost as damaging as tariffs themselves. It reverberates among business owners right now and businesses are adjusting operations on the fly as a result," said Simon Gaudreault, CFIB's chief economist and vice-president of research. "While we may have a few weeks of reprieve, there is still concern about the long-term impact of tariffs on small businesses."

A majority (54%) of SMEs say they don't feel prepared for the impacts of U.S.-Canada tariffs. CFIB data also finds that:

-- 24% are looking to delay expansion plans;

-- 20% are looking to reduce workforce/hours;

-- 45% of small firms are looking for new suppliers to address the tariff situation;

-- 62% can pass on costs to customers or clients at varying levels if U.S.-Canada tariffs are imposed.