economy
In border states, even Trump's own party wants the Canada fight to be over
When U.S.-Canada trade talks collapsed for good last Friday night, the recriminations broke out almost instantly, and not just between Washington and Ottawa. In Maine, Vermont and Michigan—three states with outsized economic exposure to Canada—elected officials from both parties and the executives who run the region’s largest employers have spent the past week saying, in various ways, the same thing: enough.
TL;DR
- U.S.-Canada trade talks have collapsed, resulting in substantial tariffs on approximately $20 billion of Canadian goods and retaliatory tariffs from Canada on various U.S. products.
- Maine's senators, Susan Collins (Republican) and Angus King (Independent), agree that the tariffs are a mistake and harm businesses, particularly the lobster industry.
- Vermont Governor Phil Scott (Republican) has consistently criticized the tariffs as a bad idea that increases costs for Vermonters and strains the U.S.-Canada relationship.
- Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer (Democrat) has been a vocal critic, warning that tariffs risk economic paralysis and put Michigan jobs at risk, impacting families and businesses.
- Automakers in Detroit have also expressed concerns, facing increased tariffs on auto parts and vehicles, while Canadian countermeasures target U.S. automakers.
- Officials in border states like Maine, Vermont, and Michigan, who are most exposed to the economic consequences, are urging an end to the trade dispute.