Federal officials have announced new support for Canadian businesses affected by U.S. tariffs.

The government plans to provide temporary six-month tariff relief for U.S. imports used in Canadian manufacturing, processing and food and beverage packaging.

The temporary exemption would also apply to imports used to support public health, health care, public safety and national security objectives.

Ottawa said it will also allow automakers that manufacture vehicles in Canada to import a certain number of U.S.-assembled, CUSMA-compliant vehicles free of countermeasure tariffs.

The number of tariff-free vehicles a company is allows to import would be reduced if there are reductions in Canadian production or investment.

In addition, the new Large Enterprise Tariff Loan Facility announced by the prime minister in March is now accepting applicants.

This program will support eligible large businesses that are facing difficulties in accessing traditional sources of market financing, by providing access to liquidity.

Companies will be required to make efforts to maintain jobs and sustain business activities in Canada.