Premiers and US governors push back on Trump's tariffs

National Observer

5 hours ago

Canadian premiers and US governors are urging President Donald Trump to end his trade war with Canada, saying the tariffs are hurting local economies, threatening jobs and driving up costs for families and businesses on both sides of the border.
At a joint meeting Monday in Boston led by Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey, premiers from Ontario, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Prince Edward Island joined New England governors to reaffirm their commitment to cross-border trade, energy, tourism and economic cooperation — and to push back on Trump's tariff policy.
During the meeting, premiers and governors urged their national leaders to discuss and reach a trade deal at the G7 summit in Alberta.
Massachusetts projects that Trump's tariffs could cost consumers nearly $1.36 billion annually — and up to $3.4 billion for the broader New England region. Healey said Canadian tourism to the region has dropped by as much as 60 per cent since tariffs, while supply chain disruptions are already affecting her state's life sciences sector, which includes biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and medical research.
'I just hope that … at the G-7 there will be a resolution so that we all can get on with our lives and innovate and grow our economies,' Healey said.
The longstanding cultural and economic ties between the northeastern US and Canadian provinces are under serious threat due to the tariffs, she added.
Canadian premiers and US governors are urging President Donald Trump to end his trade war with Canada, saying the tariffs are hurting local economies, threatening jobs and driving up costs for families and businesses on both sides of the border.
'Tariff is just another word for tax'
'How do you spell tariff? It's nothing more than a T-A-X — a tax on everything Americans buy, and it hurts our competitiveness,' said New York Governor Kathy Hochul in the meeting, which streamed online. Hochul warned that the tariffs, if fully implemented, could put hundreds of thousands of jobs at risk in her state. With rising costs for goods and energy, she noted, many New York families are already feeling the strain.
More than 1.5 million Americans in New York, Minnesota and Michigan currently rely on electricity from Ontario. Hochul said she is in talks with Quebec to increase hydroelectric supply, which is expected to power over one million homes starting next year.
'That's only possible because of trust and a strong cross-border relationship,' she said. 'Canada has been a friend to us in building our energy future — we don't need more rhetoric or tariffs setting us back.'
Trump, speaking to reporters in Alberta, acknowledged that he and Prime Minister Mark Carney had differing approaches to resolving the trade dispute but said he remained optimistic that a solution could be found.
Ford pitches 'Fortress Am-Can'
Ontario Premier Doug Ford used the platform to promote his proposed 'Fortress Am-Can' — a renewed strategic alliance between Canada and the US focused on energy security, critical mineral supply chains and clean technology manufacturing.
'It's time to end the tariffs, mend fences and move forward to grow our economies and create more jobs as we build Fortress Am-Can.'
Ford also highlighted Ontario's nuclear energy, inviting US governors to visit the province's small modular reactor projects. 'Where are you going to get your energy?' he asked. 'Hopefully from Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick.'
Trump's tariffs are already being felt in Ontario, Canada's largest economy, where Honda paused its $15-billion EV supply chain project in Alliston, citing 'changing market conditions' and US trade barriers. Ford, GM, and Stellantis have also slowed or suspended EV production, raising alarm over the future of a sector that supports over 100,000 jobs and contributes $36 billion in exports.
A report from Ontario's Financial Accountability Office warns that if tariffs persist, the province could lose up to 68,100 jobs this year — nearly doubling by 2029.
Experts say subnational diplomacy is key
Adam Fremeth, a professor of economics and public policy at the Ivey Business School, said the Boston meeting reflects the growing importance of regional diplomacy during moments of national tension. While premiers and governors aren't the ones doing the actual trading, he said, they represent the businesses and communities that are — making their advocacy essential.
'These are the kinds of dialogues that should be ongoing, not just during times of tension,' Fremeth said.
In many US states, Canada remains a top trading partner, and continued collaboration — particularly in sectors like tourism and energy — is crucial, he added.
Fremeth also pointed out that the impact of tariffs isn't felt equally. Certain regions, like Ontario or New York, are more exposed due to their dependence on sectors such as auto manufacturing or cross-border energy. That uneven pressure, he said, explains why some provinces and states are speaking out more forcefully than others.
He recalled that during past trade tensions, provinces like Ontario took symbolic but impactful actions, such as removing American-made bourbon from liquor store shelves or imposing temporary electricity surcharges on US customers.
While such moves grabbed attention, Fremeth cautioned that leaders today must tread carefully and avoid escalating tensions just as negotiations may be starting to progress.