February 10, 2026
RED FM News Desk
One year after U.S. President Donald Trump imposed tariffs on Canada, Alberta’s small- and medium-sized businesses — particularly in the Calgary region — are rapidly diversifying beyond the American market, securing higher-value international contracts and reducing reliance on any single trading partner.
New data from Calgary Economic Development (CED) shows just 24 per cent of CED-supported trade deals in 2025 involved U.S. customers, down from 35 per cent in 2024. It marks the smallest share of U.S.-focused trade deals on record for the organization, with most local companies now targeting markets in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Latin America and Oceania.
The shift stands in contrast to national trends. About 68 per cent of Canada’s total exports still went to the United States in 2025, underscoring how aggressively Calgary-area firms are pursuing diversification.
“Alberta companies are not shying away from growth in the face of uncertainty,” said Brad Parry, president and CEO of Calgary Economic Development and CEO of the Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund. “We’re seeing a decisive shift toward global market diversification and long-term resilience.”
CED-supported companies secured $60 million in trade revenue through 45 international deals in 2025 and created 187 jobs through business expansions. Revenue from trade deals jumped roughly 500 per cent year over year, signalling a move toward larger, higher-value contracts and a more future-proof growth strategy.
Loading ...
