Mass. Gov. Healey, NE Guvs to Canadian counterparts: Come on over, eh?
The governors of six northeastern states, led by Massachusetts, have formally invited the premiers of six Canadian provinces to a meeting in Boston in the coming weeks to discuss ways to strengthen cross-border ties amid the Trump administration's ongoing trade war.
'Canada is Massachusetts' number one trading partner. For generations, we have enjoyed a strong partnership and a healthy exchange of energy, lumber, dairy, cars and car parts, seafood and more,' Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey, who is leading the effort, said in a statement. 'Our businesses and our residents all benefit from this relationship.'
After initially striking a more conciliatory tone with the Republican White House, and offering to work with President Donald Trump where it made sense, the Arlington Democrat has recently made the national media rounds to criticize the administration on multiple fronts, notably on the 'chaos' spurred by its economic policies and its attacks on Harvard University.
The invitation came just ahead of a meeting between Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, whose Liberal Party swept to victory in recent federal elections, buoyed by a wave of Canadian nationalism brought on by Trump's talk of making America's northern neighbor 'the 51st state.'
Trump's trade war is undermining the cross-border partnership between Canada and New England states, Healey continued, arguing that it's 'making it harder for businesses to keep their doors open, and increasing the cost of everything that the New England and Canadian people rely on.'
The invitation was co-signed by Maine Gov. Janet Mills, who's made national headlines for successfully sparring with Trump over transgender rights; Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, Rhode Island Gov. Daniel McKee and Vermont Gov. Phil Scott.
The invitation was sent to the premiers of Canada's eastern and Maritime provinices: New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island and Québec, according to Healey's office.
In the joint statement, Mills said she looked forward to 'meeting with my Eastern Province counterparts to tell them that Maine deeply values our Canadian partnerships, and that we will work to ensure our historic friendship and deeply intertwined economies endure for generations to come.'
Canada is Maine's largest trading partner, with some $6 billion in cross-border commerce last year, Mills noted.
The other northeastern governors, including Connecticut's Lamont, offered similar sentiments.
'Thousands of businesses in the northeast have strong connections with business partners in Canada and depend on these partnerships to grow their companies and support their employees,' Lamont, who called the Nutmeg State's relationship with Canada 'critical.'
The details of the convening between northeastern governors and their Canadian counterparts are expected to be released soon, according to Healey's office.
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