Niagara 8 group to discuss border trade amid tariffs
Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz announced Monday that he will join leaders from seven municipalities bordering lakes Erie and Ontario as part of what's being called the 'Niagara 8.'
Included in the group with Erie County will be representatives from Niagara County and the cities of Buffalo and Niagara Falls on the U.S. side and the Regional Municipality of Niagara, Ontario, the City of Niagara Falls, Ontario; the Town of Fort Erie and the Town of Niagara-On-The Lake, Ontario in Canada.
The group's purpose and mission were outlined in a letter signed by representatives of each municipality that acknowledges a collective need to better position the two sides as they navigate big economic changes that have happened since U.S. President Donald Trump took office and imposed substantial tariffs on Canadian goods. In response, Canadian officials have upped tariffs on U.S. goods.
Poloncarz noted that $2.5 billion worth of goods, based on U.S. dollars, cross the border each day, with $6 billion in lumber and wood products for the U.S. homebuilding industry coming from Canada in 2024. He also said in a release from his office that 70% of all Canadian imports to the U.S. are used to manufacture other U.S.-made products.
The numbers suggest both sides have a mutual stake in ensuring conditions remain favorable to continued trade and commerce.
'Western New York and Southern Ontario have a rich, interconnected history and we remain committed partners and neighbors, regardless of the climate in Washington or Ottawa,' Poloncarz said.
Niagara Falls, Ont., Mayor Jim Diodati first spoke of reconvening the 'Niagara 10' last month. The group of elected officials from both sides of the border met for years to discuss issues of common interest but had not done so since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Diodati indicated that leaders from both countries have shared interests when it comes to creating a welcoming environment for tourists.
'We have a great opportunity with the exchange rate right now,' he said. 'We could have a huge uptick in American visitation. We don't want them to not feel welcome anymore than we don't want to feel welcome when we visit our family and friends when we go to the U.S.'
Niagara Falls, Ont., Councilor Mona Patel noted that Americans represent about 25% of the visitors in Ontario and 50% of the spending contribution and that any drop in visitation will impact the local economy.
'We welcome Americans in our city,' she said. 'We are pro-Canadians, but we are not anti-Americans either.'
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