Rejecting Trump's rhetoric, Maine's governor heads to Maritimes to build ties
HALIFAX – Maine's governor is heading to the Maritimes next week with hopes a charm offensive will slow the rapid drop in Canadian tourist visits to her state.
In a release issued Friday, Janet Mills says she's aware the historically close relationship between New England and its northern neighbours has been challenged by U.S. president Donald Trump's tariffs and his rhetoric about Canada becoming the 51st state.
According to U.S. federal border crossing data released Friday, 85,000 fewer Canadians entered Maine in May than in the same month a year ago, a drop of about 27 per cent.
The governor says she will spend three days meeting with premiers, appearing in local media and visiting businesses in hope of sending a message that Maritimers remain 'welcome in Maine' despite Trump's trade policies.
On Monday, the governor will stop in Saint John, N.B., where she intends to visit businesses with links to Maine and she then will travel to Fredericton to hold talks with New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt.
On Wednesday, Mills will meet with Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston in Halifax and tour a marine technology centre.
Last month, the governor unveiled new, bilingual signs welcoming Canadian visitors, which are being placed in windows around the state.
On June 13, in her weekly radio address, Mills said she wants to ensure the 'historic friendship and deeply intertwined economies last for generations to come.'
'It's not just our economies – we are connected so deeply by mutual economic advantages and on centuries-old familial, cuisine, language, and cultural bonds that far supersede politics,' she told her listeners, reminding them that Canada is the United States' closest and most important trading partner.
The Democratic Party member said Trump's 'roller coaster tariffs' are unsettling business in her state and 'making our Canadian neighbors feel unwelcome in the United States.'
In 2024, nearly 800,000 Canadian visitors spent approximately US$498 million in Maine, according to the state's Office of Tourism.
Overall, the data showed Maine welcomed 14.8 million visitors, who spent more than US$9.2 billion, supporting 115,900 jobs and generating US$5.4 billion in wages.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 21, 2025.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Toronto Star
8 minutes ago
- Toronto Star
Trump's move against Iran may draw more criticism from MAGA's anti-interventionists
President Donald Trump's decision to strike three nuclear sites in Iran will almost assuredly draw more criticism from some of the Republican's supporters, including high-profile backers who had said any such move would run counter to the anti-interventionism he promised to deliver. The lead-up to the strike announced Saturday exposed fissures within Trump's 'Make American Great Again' base as some of that movement's most vocal leaders, with large followings of their own, expressed deep concern about the prospect of U.S. involvement in the Israel-Iran war.
Toronto Star
8 minutes ago
- Toronto Star
Democrats are at odds over the Israel-Iran war as Trump says US has struck Iranian nuclear sites
After nearly two years of stark divisions over the war in Gaza and support for Israel, Democrats seemed at odds over policy toward Iran as progressives demanded unified opposition before President Donald Trump announced U.S. strikes against Tehran's nuclear program. Party leaders were treading more cautiously. U.S. leaders of all stripes have found common ground for two decades on the position that Iran could not be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon. The longtime U.S. foe has supported groups that have killed Americans across the Mideast and threatened to destroy Israel. But Trump's announcement Saturday that the U.S. had struck three nuclear sites could become the Democratic Party's latest schism, just as it was sharply dividing Trump's isolationist 'Make America Great Again' base from more hawkish conservatives.
Vancouver Sun
13 minutes ago
- Vancouver Sun
Trump claims U.S. military struck 3 sites in Iran, joining Israeli effort
President Donald Trump says the U.S. military struck three sites in Iran, directly joining Israel 's effort to decapitate the country's nuclear program in a risky gambit to weaken a longtime foe amid Tehran's threat of reprisals that could spark a wider regional conflict. The decision to directly involve the U.S. comes after more than a week of strikes by Israel on Iran that have moved to systematically eradicate the country's air defenses and offensive missile capabilities, while damaging its nuclear enrichment facilities. But U.S. and Israeli officials have said that American stealth bombers and a 30,000-lb. bunker buster bomb they alone can carry offered the best chance of destroying heavily-fortified sites connected to the Iranian nuclear program buried deep underground. Trump-claimed attack threatens to reignite US war with Houthi rebels Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. The attack claimed by U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to reignite America's war with Yemen's Houthi rebels, the last member of Iran's self-described 'Axis of Resistance' able to launch regular attacks. The Houthis on Saturday warned they would resume attack American ships in the Red Sea corridor if the U.S. joined the Israeli campaign. Trump describes bombings as a 'very successful military operation' President Donald Trump posted on social media that he will be delivering a 10 p.m. EDT address on the U.S. strikes from the White House. The president described the bombings as a 'very successful military operation in Iran.' 'This is an HISTORIC MOMENT FOR THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ISRAEL, AND THE WORLD. IRAN MUST NOW AGREE TO END THIS WAR,' Trump added. Several Republican senators praise Trump after US bombing of Iran sites Several Republican senators are praising President Donald Trump after he announced Saturday evening that the U.S. military bombed three sites in Iran. 'Well done, President Trump,' Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C, posted on X. Texas Sen. John Cornyn called it a 'courageous decision.' Alabama Sen. Katie Britt said she stands by Trump and called the bombings 'strong and surgical.' Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin posted: 'America first, always.' Democratic Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania also praised the attacks on Iran. 'As I've long maintained, this was the correct move by ↕POTUS,' he posted. 'Iran is the world's leading sponsor of terrorism and cannot have nuclear capabilities.' One House Republican criticized Trump's decision. 'This is not Constitutional,' posted Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie, a longtime opponent of U.S. involvement in foreign wars. U.S. strikes 3 Iranian nuclear sites, Trump says, joining Israeli air campaign President Donald Trump said Saturday that the U.S. military struck three sites in Iran, directly joining Israel 's effort to decapitate the country's nuclear program in a risky gambit to weaken a longtime foe amid Tehran's threat of reprisals that could spark a wider regional conflict. The decision to directly involve the U.S. comes after more than a week of strikes by Israel on Iran that have moved to systematically eradicate the country's air defenses and offensive missile capabilities, while damaging its nuclear enrichment facilities. But U.S. and Israeli officials have said that American stealth bombers and a 30,000-lb. bunker buster bomb they alone can carry offered the best chance of destroying heavily-fortified sites connected to the Iranian nuclear program buried deep underground. Saudi Arabia condemns 'blatant Israeli aggressions' against Iran Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan has condemned 'blatant Israeli aggressions against the Islamic Republic of Iran, which undermine its sovereignty and security, constitute a clear violation of international laws and norms, and threaten the security and stability of the region,' the state-run Saudi Press Agency reported. Speaking at Friday's meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in Istanbul, he called for 'the immediate cessation of military operations, the avoidance of escalation, and a return to the negotiation track between Iran and the international community.' Iran and Saudi Arabia were long regional arch-rivals but have normalized relations in recent years. Riyadh was quick to side publicly with Tehran after Israel launched a surprise barrage of strikes on Iran last week. Bin Farhan also reiterated Saudi Arabia's support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The kingdom and France had been set to co-chair a conference in New York this month on the topic, which was postponed due to the outbreak of the Israel-Iran war. President says Iran will never resign its right to nuclear power Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian says his country will never renounce its right to nuclear power, which 'cannot be taken away from it through war and threats.' In a phone conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday, Pezeshkian said Iran was ready to provide guarantees and confidence-building measures to demonstrate the peaceful nature of its nuclear activities, according to IRNA, the state-run news agency. Pezeshkian said that Iran has never sought to produce nuclear weapons, IRNA reported. Posting on X, the French leader said he told his Iranian counterpart that 'Iran must never acquire nuclear weapons, and it is up to Iran to provide full guarantees that its intentions are peaceful.' Egypt rejects Israeli campaign against Iran and calls for negotiated solution President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi of Egypt has expressed his government's 'complete rejection' of Israel's campaign against Iran, calling for a negotiated solution to the conflict. El-Sissi's comments came in a phone call Saturday with Iranian President Masoud Pezezhkin, the Egyptian presidency said in a statement. The statement said el-Sissi voiced Egypt's 'complete rejection of the ongoing Israeli escalation against Iran,' as a threat to the Middle East's security and stability. The Egyptian leader called for an immediate ceasefire to resume negotiations with the aim of reaching a 'sustainable, peaceful solution to this crisis.' Aerial refueling tankers spotted on flight paths consistent with escorting aircraft from US Multiple U.S. aerial refueling tankers were spotted on commercial flight trackers flying flight patterns consistent with escorting aircraft from the central U.S. to the Pacific. B-2 bombers, which are the only aircraft that carry the large bunker buster bombs, are based at an Air Force base in Missouri. It was not clear whether the aircraft being escorted early Saturday were prepared for an operation or merely moving to airbases closer to Iran as a show of force. The White House and Pentagon did not respond to requests for comment on the flights. Israel says it and Cyprus foiled a planned attack on Israeli citizens Israel's foreign minister says Israeli security services have helped Cypriot authorities foil a planned attack against Israeli citizens on the east Mediterranean island nation. Minister Gideon Saar posted on X Saturday that Iran's Revolutionary Guard was behind the plot. He thanked Cyprus for its 'swift and effective actions' and accused Iran of 'deliberately targeting Israeli civilians both in Israel and abroad.' Cyprus police said Saturday they arrested a man on suspicion of terrorism and espionage. A court Saturday ordered the man, who wasn't identified, held in police custody for eight days until investigators can complete their probe. Cypriot authorities said they wouldn't comment further on the man's arrest for 'national security reasons.' A British Foreign Office spokesman said that U.K. authorities are in contact with the Cypriot government 'regarding the arrest of a British man.' Germany closes Tehran embassy and withdraws staff from Iran The German embassy in Tehran has been closed until further notice 'due to the current crisis situation,' the diplomatic representation wrote on its website. 'Please do not come to the embassy or the consulate building. Appointments that have already been arranged have been canceled,' the embassy said. Due to the war between Israel and Iran, the German Foreign Ministry said Saturday it has withdrawn all of its embassy staff in Tehran and brought them out of the country. The embassy is still reachable online for Germans remaining in Iran. On its website, the embassy gives advice on the different possibilities to leave by land via Armenia or Turkey. According to the German Foreign Ministry, there are still about 1,000 German citizens in Iran. U.S. begins repatriation flights from Israel The U.S. ambassador to Israel says the United States has begun 'assisted departure flights' from Israel, the first time such flights have been offered there since the Hamas-led attack on Oct. 7, 2023, sparked the ongoing war in Gaza. The State Department said Saturday that it organized two flights departing from Tel Aviv to Athens with approximately 70 U.S. citizens, their accompanying immediate family members and permanent residents. Ambassador Mike Huckabee announced the flights in a social media post as the war between Israel and Iran entered its second week. He says U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents can complete an online form for updates. The U.S. has also told its citizens in Iran who wish to leave to go via Azerbaijan, Armenia or Turkey if they feel it's safe. Nasrallah's bodyguard killed in Israeli airstrike on Iran, Hezbollah says The head of security to the late Hezbollah leader, Hassan Nasrallah, was killed in an Israeli airstrike while in Iran, a Hezbollah official said Saturday. Abu Ali Khalil, better known as Abu Ali Jawad, was killed after he went to Iran from neighboring Iraq, the official said. For many years, Abu Ali was seen behind Nasrallah during most of his public appearances. After Nasrallah was killed in an Israeli airstike in a Beirut suburb in September, his bodyguard was put in charge of his tomb in Beirut. The Hezbollah official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media, said the airstrike that killed Abu Ali occurred earlier Saturday. Erdogan offers to mediate Iran-U.S. talks Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called for technical and leadership-level talks between Iran and the United States to resolve tensions, during a meeting with Iran's top diplomat. A statement from Erdogan office said the Turkish president also told Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi during a meeting in Istanbul on Saturday that Turkey was ready to take on the role of facilitator. Erdogan said that the region cannot tolerate another war and said Israel must be 'stopped immediately.' Araghchi was in Turkey to attend a meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. Iran acknowledges detaining German bicyclist on suspicion of spying Iran on Saturday acknowledged for the first time it had detained a German bicyclist on spying allegations, likely an effort by Tehran to pressure Germany amid its war with Israel. The semiofficial Mehr news agency published footage of the unnamed man's arrest, without saying when the arrest occurred. However, it described the cyclist as being detained in Markazi province, home to the Arak heavy water reactor. The German news agency dpa reported the arrest took place last year and that the bicyclist is being held in Tehran's notorious Evin prison, home to Westerners and political prisoners. The German Foreign Ministry declined to comment Saturday. Israeli army says it is now targeting Iranian military infrastructure The Israeli army said it began striking military infrastructure in southwest Iran. It was unclear what the targeted sites were. Shortly after, Iranian state media reported that the sound of large blasts was heard in two cities in the oil-rich province of Khuzestan. Air defenses were reported to be activated in both locations. A large column of smoke had also risen above the port city of Mahshahr, Fars news agency said, while 'frightening explosions' were heard in the provincial capital of Ahvaz. Macron voices deep concern over Iran's nuclear program The French president said Saturday this happened during a call with his Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian, who initiated the call. 'Here again, my position is clear: Iran must never acquire nuclear weapons, and it is up to Iran to provide full guarantees that its intentions are peaceful,' Macron posted on social media, adding that diplomatic efforts should continue to resolve the current crisis. 'To achieve this, we will accelerate the negotiations led by France and its European partners with Iran.' Macron said he also asked for the release of two French citizens being held in Iran on espionage charges since 2022. Iranians are left with no internet access again Internet-access advocacy group reported on Saturday that the limited internet access that had come back up in Iran has once again 'collapsed.' The group said on X that the disconnect came after 'a brief period when residents could exchange messages with the outside world.' A nationwide internet shutdown has been in place for several days, isolating Iranians. Iran cited concerns about Israeli cyberattacks for the shutdown of mobile and web services. But many Iranians and activists see it as another example of state information control and targeted internet shutdowns the Islamic Republic has deployed during periods of protests and unrest. Internet slowly trickles back in Iran Iranians on Saturday began to see some internet access restored, giving people the opportunity to call friends and family for the first time in days. Those in the diaspora posted on social media about connecting to FaceTime or WhatsApp to call relatives they had been worried about. Government officials had disconnected phone and web services earlier in the week for the more than 90 million people who live in Iran, citing cybersecurity threats from Israel. That left civilians unaware of when and where Israel would strike next and if their family or friends were among the victims. Tasnim News Agency, closely affiliated with Iran's government, quoted the information minister as saying that access to 'international' internet should be restored across the country by 8 p.m. Turkey urges Islamic unity against 'Israeli problem' Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan says the Middle East is faced with an 'Israeli problem' and called on Islamic countries to take a collective stand and show solidarity with Iran. 'Israel's ongoing aggression and occupation policies clearly show that there is an Israeli problem in our region that needs to be addressed,' Fidan said in an opening speech at a meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in Istanbul on Saturday. He also warned that Israel's actions could trigger broader regional instability. Italians evacuated from Iran arrive in Azerbaijan The Italian foreign ministry said the 24 Italians are the second group to evacuate via Azerbaijan's Baku. 'After about nine hours of travel and a very long wait at the border, the group was welcomed by representatives of the Italian Embassy in Baku, and then moved to the airport of the Azerbaijani capital to wait to return to Italy with the first available flights,' the ministry said. The group included an Italian doctor and his partner, an Iranian woman, and their 18-month-old child, the ministry said. Another convoy from Iran could depart from Tehran as early as Monday. The first group that arrived in Italy via Baku in recent days had 34 Italian nationals. Italy's foreign ministry also said it chartered a flight to help evacuate its citizens from Israel via Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, on Sunday. Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here .
