Canada catches a 100% tariff warning

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Great, while we’re all pretending to relax this weekend, ecommerce’s at it with 100% tariffs… again.

• Grow 200% with Walmart Marketplace 🚀
• Tariffs are back in the headlines ⚠️
• Amazon's 15% fee vs. ChatGPT’s 4% 💰
• Chasing a perfect 5-star rating? ⭐

HOT TOPIC

While most people were easing into the weekend, Trump went the opposite direction.

He threatened to slap a 100% tariff on Canadian goods after Canada moved closer to a trade deal with China. Yep, another potential supply chain rollercoaster heading into 2026.

⚠️ Canada in the crosshairs

A proposed Canada–China agreement would lower tariffs on food exports and EVs, triggering Trump’s retaliation threat.

• Canada could face a 100% tariff on all goods entering the U.S.
• The deal remains preliminary, with key provisions targeted for March
• Trump framed Canada as a potential “drop-off port” for China-based goods

Even without follow-through, tariff threats alone can reshape pricing, sourcing, and risk planning.

• Canada is a major U.S. supplier of oil, vehicles, and auto parts
• Experts warn a full tariff would cause inflation spikes
• Current effective tariffs on Canadian goods remain below 4%
• Past tariff threats have already delayed or derailed trade deals

📦 Commerce impact

Not a confirmed policy, but a clear signal. Time to hustle.

• Stress-test margins tied to Canadian suppliers
• Diversify sourcing where possible
• Watch Q1 policy moves closely, especially around March timelines

For sellers, uncertainty alone can disrupt costs, inventory planning, and pricing strategy, and 2026 is already shaping up to be volatile.

TOGETHER WITH WALMART MARKETPLACE

Lavazza partnership with Walmart Marketplace & WFS brews rapid growth

Lavazza partnership with Walmart Marketplace & WFS brews rapid growth 

Lavazza, a coffee brand, saw more than 200% growth in Walmart Marketplace sales within 18 months of leveraging Walmart Fulfillment Services (WFS).*  

*Data provided by Lavazza.  

Since joining WFS, Lavazza has: 

• Improved efficiency 
• Improved on-time delivery to customers 
• Reinvested in marketing and advertising

Let WFS do the heavy lifting while you focus on scaling your way. 

Join Marketplace

BITES OF THE WEEK

• Ecom Growth Playbook: Jose Daniel Duarte Camacho shares agile ecommerce strategies using tech, personalization, and FinTech for sustainable growth.
• A+ Content Boost: Refresh images, charts, and videos on top ASINs now to maximize conversions in early 2026.
• PayPal Goes AI: PayPal acquires Cymbio to expand AI-driven commerce, connecting brands to marketplaces and emerging shopping platforms.
• Amazon Earnings Reveal: Amazon will reveal Q4 and full-year 2025 results on February 5 via live webcast and slides.

BIG IDEA

ChatGPT checkout charges only 4%

OpenAI just made ChatGPT checkout real for Shopify merchants, and yes, it comes with a 4% transaction fee. 

Not huge, but enough to make AI search feel like a legit new marketplace. 

💰 A new “other” market

Starting January 26, Shopify merchants pay 4% on purchases completed via ChatGPT, plus the standard payment processing fee. Key highlights:

• 11 points lower than Amazon’s 15% referral fee
• No mandatory ad spend required to get seen
• Over 1M Shopify merchants already accessible
• AI-driven shopping traffic is growing fast, though volume is still modest

📊 How the costs stack up

This fee structure underscores just how expensive traditional marketplaces have become:

• Amazon sellers often lose 25–30% of revenue to fees + ads
• ChatGPT + Shopify total roughly 7% on a $1M seller
• Walmart, TikTok Shop, and Etsy all charge higher effective rates
• ChatGPT claims ads are separate from organic answers

🧭 Start shifting now

The real opportunity isn’t just fees, it’s organic discovery:

• Amazon search is dominated by paid placements
• ChatGPT emphasizes contextual, conversational recommendations
• Organic visibility may coexist with ads, not be buried by them
• Competition will shift toward algorithmic selection, not bidding wars

ChatGPT’s 4% fee won’t topple Amazon, but it’s the first seller-friendly marketplace in years worth testing early.

TACTIC TALKS

The sweet spot between 4.2 and 4.5 stars

Did you know shoppers trust slightly imperfect reviews more, and that small flaws can boost conversions? 

According to eComEngine, purchase likelihood peaks at 4.2–4.5 stars, while a perfect 5-star rating can actually trigger skepticism.

⭐ Why "almost perfect" ratings work

Believe it or not, a healthy 4.2–4.5 rating, backed by real, detailed reviews, builds credibility and consistent conversions.

• Earn reviews naturally: Encourage early buyers to share experiences
• Ask at the right time: Match requests to product use (tools after a weekend, apparel after a wash)
• Keep it human: Prompt for experiences, not just stars (“What surprised you?”)
• Don’t fear 3-stars: Use constructive feedback to improve listings and product quality

Keep collecting, keep improving, and let authenticity do the selling for you, because shoppers can smell fake perfection from a mile away.