Latest news with #MaineInternationalTradeCenter
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Mills reaffirms commitment to foreign trade partners amid tariff uncertainty
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
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Janet Mills, other Northeast governors invite Canadian premiers to meet on tariffs and trade
May 5—Maine Gov. Janet Mills and five other Northeastern governors have invited the premiers of six Canadian provinces to a summit to discuss President Donald Trump's tariffs and preserving strong trade relationships. Mills joined Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont, Rhode Island Gov. Daniel McKee and Vermont Gov. Phil Scott in inviting the premiers of New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island and Québec to meet in Boston in the near future. All are Democrats except Scott. New Hampshire Gov. Kelly Ayotte, also a Republican, did not sign the invitation. "Canada is Maine's single largest trading partner, with more than $6 billion in cross-border commerce occurring last year alone. Our economies and our cultures have enjoyed strong relationships for generations, which is now strained by the president's haphazard tariffs and harmful rhetoric targeting our northern neighbors," Mills said in a written statement. Mills has been critical of Trump's tariffs on Canada, which she believes will drive up the cost of heating oil, gasoline, food and more. Canada is Maine's biggest trading partner by far, and many communities also have deeply held cultural relationships that are in jeopardy. "Maine's economic and commercial relationship with Canada is far deeper than with other international markets," said Wade Merritt, president of Maine International Trade Center. "It's best described as 'making things together' with a high degree of integration in natural resource-based industries like potatoes, blueberries, lobster and forest products. In addition, many manufacturing businesses across Maine rely on Canadian steel and aluminum to keep their factories running and workers on the job. Although previously announced tariffs are paused, significant uncertainty remains due to increased costs and the threat of retaliation." In addition to the impact on trade, Mills has warned that tariffs — combined with the president's rhetoric about Canada — will negatively affect the upcoming summer tourist season. State officials have estimated that Maine could see about 225,000 fewer Canadian visitors this summer — about 25% less than last year. "Canada has long been a vital part of Maine's travel market. For generations, we've warmly welcomed Canadian visitors — whether they come for vacations, to see family and friends, or to enjoy shopping and entertainment," Carolann Ouellette, director of the Maine Office of Tourism, said in a written statement. "We acknowledge the concerns some of our Canadian friends may have about traveling to the U.S. right now," Ouellette added. "Whether Canadians decide to visit this summer (and we truly hope they do) or at a later time, they will always find a warm welcome in Maine. Maine continues to invite travelers from Canada to experience all that our state has to offer — this year and for many years to come." Copy the Story Link
