logo
Mills reaffirms commitment to foreign trade partners amid tariff uncertainty

Mills reaffirms commitment to foreign trade partners amid tariff uncertainty

Yahoo3 days ago

Jun. 9—Gov. Janet Mills reaffirmed Maine's commitment to its northern and European neighbors and to preserving the Arctic landscape in the face of climate change at an annual breakfast with business and trade leaders.
Speaking to a crowd of hundreds at the Governor's International Breakfast on Monday, Mills emphasized the interconnectedness of trade and the environment, and she championed the importance of understanding and minimizing the worst effects of climate change.
The theme of Monday's breakfast was "Maine: Gateway to the Arctic and North Atlantic." Speakers, including representatives of shipping logistics company Eimskip and the Maine International Trade Center, discussed Maine's role as a shipping and marine industry hub.
Mills said the actions of other nations working in the Arctic, including Canada and Maine's European trading partners, directly impact "our little state."
"And the actions of our little state affect the Arctic," she said.
Mills paid particular attention to Maine and Canada's "historic friendship and deeply intertwined economies," noting that the state took in billions of dollars' worth of goods last year, including high quantities of fuel and heating oil that rural Mainers rely on.
She highlighted a recent campaign to install signage welcoming Canadians at each of Maine's 13 border crossings. Canadian tourism is anticipated to drop by about a quarter this summer, as Canadians feel increasingly hesitant to visit in light of President Donald Trump's tariffs and threats to make their country the 51st state.
"While we can't fix this economic uncertainty coming from the nation's capital," Maine can show Canadians tourists that they are welcome, Mills said. "It's the least we can do."
Mills followed remarks by Bernadette Jordan, consul general of Canada in Boston, who thanked the governor for her "steadfast friendship."
The Arctic, including Canada's Arctic Archipelago, has been warming four times faster than the rest of the world, Jordan said. Meanwhile, the country's northwest passage could become the most efficient shipping route between Europe and East Asia, which would lead to increased international traffic, she said.
"The threats to our sovereignty are real when it comes to the North," she said, adding that Canada is pursuing intelligence-sharing agreements with other nations that include or do business in arctic territories.
At one point, Mills directed her remarks to a table of visiting students from Edward Little High School in Auburn, urging them to ask questions of their elected officials and to avoid isolationism when they grow old enough to vote. She said Maine has learned improved forest production and fishery techniques from officials and tradespeople in Finland and Iceland, citing these as examples of cross-cultural knowledge sharing that drives innovation at home.
Mills will join a handful of northeastern governors and a half-dozen Canadian premiers in Boston next week to discuss the impacts of tariffs and develop plans for ensuring cross-border trade continues.
Copy the Story Link

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Hegseth's long week on Capitol Hill
Hegseth's long week on Capitol Hill

The Hill

time26 minutes ago

  • The Hill

Hegseth's long week on Capitol Hill

The Big Story Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Thursday closed out his third and final day of hearings on Capitol Hill. © Associated Press The final day was not without its fireworks, with several clashes with lawmakers as he dodged questions on invading Greenland, Ukraine aid, his use of the app Signal, and troop deployment in Los Angeles. Hegseth, in his first appearance before the House Armed Services Committee, was quickly hit with queries from panel Democrats, starting with ranking member Adam Smith (Wash.). Smith pressed the Pentagon chief on whether it is the Defense Department's policy that the U.S. military be prepared to take Greenland or Panama by force. Hegseth would not rule out the possibility of a future military invasion of the Arctic territory and Central American country, suggesting to lawmakers the Pentagon could have such plans and that the U.S. has an interest in protecting both areas from Chinese influence. The Defense Department 'plans for any particular contingency,' he said, adding that 'I think the American people would want the Pentagon to have plans for anything.' The answer caused Smith to scoff, replying: 'I don't think the American people voted for President Trump because they were hoping we would invade Greenland. I'm going to go out on a limb on that one.' Hegseth was later pressed by Rep. Mike Turner (R-Ohio), who implored him to confirm that 'it is not your testimony today that there are plans at the Pentagon for taking by force or invading Greenland, correct? Because I sure as hell hope that it is not that.' Hegseth would only repeat that the 'Pentagon has plans for any number of contingencies' and that officials 'look forward to working with Greenland to ensure that it is secured from any potential threats.' Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.) took his five minutes to supply Hegseth with the most direct questioning he's yet faced on whether he shared classified information on U.S. attack plans in Yemen via the Signal messaging app. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Calif.) then lambasted the Defense secretary as an 'embarrassment,' demanding he resign over a range of issues including the Signal group chat, deploying Marines to Los Angeles amid protests and his views on Russia's war in Ukraine. 'I have called for your resignation. I didn't think you were qualified before your confirmation, and you have done nothing to inspire confidence in your ability to lead competently,' Carbajal said. The hearing caps off Hegseth's long week on Capitol Hill, which began on Tuesday with a relatively quiet House Appropriations defense subcommittee hearing. But on Wednesday, Hegseth faced heated questions from the Senate's version of the Appropriations panel, which bombarded Hegseth over the Russia-Ukraine war, the Pentagon's delays in delivering budget information and the administration's focus on Greenland in its Arctic strategy. Read the full report at Welcome to The Hill's Defense & National Security newsletter, I'm Ellen Mitchell — your guides to the latest developments at the Pentagon, on Capitol Hill and beyond. Did someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe here. Essential Reads How policy will affect defense and national security now and inthe future: Rain, thunderstorms forecast for DC military parade Rain and thunderstorms are forecast for Saturday in the nation's capital, where a day of festivities and a military parade are scheduled to celebrate the U.S. Army's 250th birthday — which happens to coincide with President Trump's 79th birthday. The daylong festivities in Washington will take place mostly on the National Mall, where a fitness event will be held at 9:30 a.m. and a festival will kick off at 11 a.m. The festival … US troops begin detaining migrants on border defense zone U.S. troops at the southern border started detaining migrants last week as part of the 'Deep South Campaign' to prosecute individuals found trespassing in National Defense Areas (NDAs). President Trump has currently designated the U.S.-Mexico stretches between El Paso to Fort Hancock, Texas, as an NDA alongside the land line marking the country's boundaries in New Mexico. U.S. Army Lt. Col. Chad Campbell said three individuals … Newsom says Trump never discussed sending National Guard: 'Stone cold liar' California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) said in a podcast episode Thursday that President Trump did not discuss sending the National Guard to Los Angeles when the two recently spoke to each other before Trump's announcement. 'He lied, he lied. On my mother and dad's grave. I don't mess around, when I say this, he lied. Stone cold liar,' Newsom said on The New York Times's 'The Daily.' Host Michael Barbaro had said the … On Our Radar Upcoming things we're watching on our beat: In Other News Branch out with a different read from The Hill: Senate Democrats calls for Noem to resign Multiple Senate Democrats on Thursday called for Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to resign after Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) was forcibly removed and later handcuffed for interrupting a press conference Noem held in Los Angeles. 'Kristi Noem should resign in disgrace,' Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minn.) … On Tap Tomorrow Events in and around the defense world: What We're Reading News we've flagged from other outlets: Trending Today Two key stories on The Hill right now: Republicans lay groundwork for 'total tax cliff' at end of Trump's term Congressional Republicans are laying the groundwork for a tax cliff at the end of President Trump's term in office. While the conference is pushing … Read more Trump on 'No Kings' protests during military parade: 'I don't feel like a king' President Trump was asked Thursday to respond to planned counterprotests that will coincide with a military parade in the nation's capital to … Read more Opinions in The Hill Op-eds related to defense & national security submitted to The Hill: You're all caught up. See you tomorrow! Thank you for signing up! Subscribe to more newsletters here

G7 Leaders Urged to Abandon Net Zero and Climate-Aligned Finance says Friends of Science
G7 Leaders Urged to Abandon Net Zero and Climate-Aligned Finance says Friends of Science

Yahoo

timean hour ago

  • Yahoo

G7 Leaders Urged to Abandon Net Zero and Climate-Aligned Finance says Friends of Science

At the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta, Friends of Science Society urges world leaders to abandon Net Zero and climate-aligned finance goals, citing Vaclav Smil's new book on the impossibility of Net Zero. Retired energy economist, Robert Lyman, has issued several reports questioning Prime Minister Carney's energy superpower plans, which show that climate policies are strangling the Canadian economy. CALGARY, AB, June 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Based on the economic and security goals outlined in Prime Minister Mark Carney's G7 press release of June 07, 2025, Friends of Science Society urges world leaders to abandon Net Zero and climate-aligned finance goals. Renowned energy author Vaclav Smil's latest book "2050. Pourquoi un monde sans carbone est presque impossible" [translation: "2050. Why a carbon-free world is almost impossible."] makes the case that such goals are extremely unlikely. Smil's key points are summarized in French and English in this post on "Science, Climat et Energie." Professors Happer and Lindzen show, in this new report, that carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases are not driving global warming; expensive efforts to reduce these gases will lead to deindustrialization, poverty and famine worldwide. As noted in this CLINTEL report which cites Obama's former science advisor, the 2 degree Celsius (or 1.5 °C) Paris Agreement target was made up; it is not a product of science, thus compliance with the agreement will not provide "climate insurance" from extreme weather or wildfires; the objective is unaffordable and unnecessary. Friends of Science Society has issued an Open Letter to the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions in Canada, explaining that Net Zero targets are unattainable and why. The letter challenges the push for the Climate-Aligned Finance Act (CAFA) "…would put such organizations in the position of acting in a fraudulent manner, as no amount of financial effort can make Net Zero a reality; and society will need to use fossil fuels for decades to come." CAFA is also presently promoted by Catherine McKenna and her "Women Leading on Climate" group. Prime Minister Carney has raised Canadian expectations of Canada becoming an energy superpower overnight leading to a bold economic recovery, but the likelihood of these propositions are questioned by Robert Lyman in two new reports, titled: "Canada's Infrastructure Selection Criteria – Deciphering The Rhetoric," and "Energy Superpower Vs. Net-Zero? Don't Jump!" Robert Lyman, is a retired energy economist who for 27 years served in the Canadian government as an advisor and manager on energy, environment and transportation issues and has written extensively on these issues since that time. As discussed in Lyman's "Deciphering the Rhetoric," Premier Tim Houston of Nova Scotia, Canada has proposed "Wind West," a massive 66-Gigawatt offshore wind farm, which he claims could provide 27% of Canada's electrical generation needs. "Deciphering the Rhetoric" explains why this proposal is uneconomic and would have the potential to cause national blackouts. On April 28, 2025, Spain and Portugal both experienced national blackouts, primarily due to far too great a ratio of renewables on the grid, versus more stable frequency control which comes from conventional inertial, dispatchable power. Though the Pathways Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) has been highlighted by both Prime Minister Carney and Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Tim Hodgson as a possible project of national importance, Robert Lyman's 2019 report "The Carbon Capture and Storage Trap – for Taxpayers" is a cautionary tale. Friends of Science Society's "Getting to Net Zero" in Canada shows the Canada Energy Regulator's proposals for applying CCUS to reach Net Zero are unrealistic: video explainer. Friends of Science Society expresses concerns that the push for Net Zero is simply a mirage to foist Article 6 carbon trading and so-called "Nature-based Climate Solutions" on corporations, and ultimately consumers, as outlined in this Western Standard report, "But, while many net-zero bankers see this as a gold mine, energy analyst Anas Alhajji calls carbon accounting the 'Mother of all Enrons.'" Canada's Curious Climate Connection with Europe is a Friends of Science video explainer that offers insights, pros and cons, into suggestions that Canada should join the EU. To achieve global security and prosperity, G7 attendees should abandon Net Zero, embrace conventional energy and reject Climate-Aligned Finance, says Friends of Science. AboutFriends of Science Society is an independent group of earth, atmospheric and solar scientists, engineers, and citizens that is celebrating its 23rd year of offering climate science insights. After a thorough review of a broad spectrum of literature on climate change, Friends of Science Society has concluded that the sun is the main driver of climate change, not carbon dioxide (CO2).Friends of Science SocietyPO Box 61172 RPO KensingtonCalgary AB T2N 4S6CanadaToll-free Telephone: 1-888-789-9597Web: contact(at)friendsofscience(dot)orgWeb: View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Friends of Science Society

Air India plane crash: Reaction from around the world
Air India plane crash: Reaction from around the world

Yahoo

timean hour ago

  • Yahoo

Air India plane crash: Reaction from around the world

(Reuters) -More than 200 people were killed when an Air India plane bound for London with 242 people on board crashed minutes after taking off from India's western city of Ahmedabad on Thursday, authorities said. Here is what world leaders have said so far: INDIAN PRIME MINISTER NARENDRA MODI, ON X: "The tragedy in Ahmedabad has stunned and saddened us. It is heartbreaking beyond words." "In this sad hour, my thoughts are with everyone affected by it. Have been in touch with Ministers and authorities who are working to assist those affected." U.S. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP, AT A WHITE HOUSE EVENT: "The plane crash was terrible. They (India) will handle it, I am sure, but I let them know that anything we can do, we'll be over there immediately." "That is a terrible crash. It's one of the worst in aviation history." BRITISH PRIME MINISTER KEIR STARMER, ON X: "The scenes emerging of a London-bound plane carrying many British nationals crashing in the Indian city of Ahmedabad are devastating." "I am being kept updated as the situation develops, and my thoughts are with the passengers and their families at this deeply distressing time." BRITAIN'S KING CHARLES, IN A STATEMENT ON X: "My wife and I have been desperately shocked by the terrible events in Ahmedabad this morning. Our special prayers and deepest possible sympathy are with the families and friends of all those affected by this appallingly tragic incident across so many nations, as they await news of their loved ones." U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO, ON X: "Heartbroken to hear the news of a tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad, India. My prayers are with all who lost their loved ones in this horrible incident." PAKISTAN PRIME MINISTER SHEHBAZ SHARIF, ON X: "Saddened by the tragic crash of Air India flight near Ahmedabad today. We extend our condolences to the families of the victims grieving this immense loss." "Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this heartbreaking tragedy." THE VATICAN'S SECRETARY OF STATE, ON X:"Deeply saddened by the tragedy involving an Air India aircraft near Ahmedabad, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV sends his heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of those who have lost their lives, together with the assurance of prayers for all involved in the recovery efforts." "Commending the souls of the deceased to the mercy of the Almighty, His Holiness invokes upon all affected the divine blessings of healing and peace." BANGLADESH CHIEF ADVISER MUHAMMAD YUNUS, IN A MESSAGE TO MODI: "We extend our deepest condolences to all the families who lost their dear ones at this tragic incident." "We stand in solidarity with the people and Government of India, and offer our full support in any form." PRIME MINISTER OF CANADA, MARK CARNEY, ON X: "Canada is deeply saddened by the crash of a London-bound Air India plane in Ahmedabad with 242 people on board, including one Canadian." "Canadian officials remain in close contact with counterparts in the wake of this tragedy. Our thoughts are with all those affected." EUROPEAN COMMISSION PRESIDENT URSULA VON DER LEYEN, ON X:"My deepest condolences to the families and loved ones grieving this terrible loss." "Dear @narendramodi, Europe stands in solidarity with you and the people of India in this moment of sorrow." RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN, TO MODI, IN A TELEGRAM PUBLISHED ON KREMLIN WEBSITE: "Please accept my deep condolences on the tragic consequences of the airliner crash at Ahmedabad airport." "Please convey words of sincere sympathy and support to the families and friends of the victims, as well as wishes of a swift recovery to all those injured in this catastrophe." ITALIAN PRIME MINISTER GIORGIA MELONI, ON X: "On behalf of the Italian Government and myself, I express my sincere condolences to the families of the victims and our full solidarity with the Indian people in this moment of great sorrow." PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT FERDINAND MARCOS JR, ON X: "On behalf of the Filipino people, I extend our most heartfelt condolences to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Government of India, and especially to the families and loved ones of all those who lost their lives." "May the victims be remembered with dignity, and may the ongoing efforts to understand this tragedy bring comfort and clarity to those left behind." FRENCH PRESIDENT EMMANUEL MACRON, ON X: "We have learned with deep emotion of the tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad, India. In this time of sorrow, I extend our heartfelt thoughts to the victims' loved ones and to Prime Minister @NarendraModi." AUSTRALIAN PRIME MINISTER ANTHONY ALBANESE, ON X: "The news of a passenger plane crash in Ahmedabad is absolutely devastating. In this time of tragedy, Australia's thoughts are with everyone affected." "Our government is receiving regular updates and we will continue to monitor the situation closely." IRISH PRIME MINISTER MICHEAL MARTIN, ON X: "My thoughts and prayers are with the people of India after the terrible plane crash in Ahmedabad earlier today. Thinking of the families of all those on board, along with the emergency services attending the scene." GENERAL SECRETARY OF BRITISH AIRLINE PILOTS' ASSOCIATION AMY LEVERSIDGE: "Pilots around the globe are deeply saddened by this news. Members of the British Airline Pilots' Association send condolences to all those affected. "It is vital a full and thorough investigation is now carried out without interference or unhelpful speculation about the contributory factors so that future tragedies can be avoided." (Compiled by Hritam Mukherjee, Manvi Pant and Surbhi Misra in Bengaluru; Editing by Andrew Heavens and Cynthia Osterman)

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store