Latest news with #NorthCountryChamberofCommerce
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Chamber wants tariff relief for small businesses
PLATTSBURGH — The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is calling on the Trump Administration to provide tariff relief for struggling small businesses. In a letter Thursday, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce asked the administration to address the impacts of tariffs by 'granting automatic exclusions for any small business importer, establishing a process for companies to apply for an exclusion if the company can demonstrate that tariffs pose a risk to employment for American workers, and providing exclusions for all products that cannot be produced in the United States or are not readily available.' 'The Chamber supports many of the President's policy goals, including eliminating unfair trade and non-trade barriers, and driving American investment. At the same time, we have heard from a historic number of small businesses who have made it clear: they need immediate relief from tariffs,' Suzanne P. Clark, President and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce said. 'As each day goes by, small businesses are increasingly endangered by higher costs and interrupted supply chains that will cause irreparable harm. We applaud the administration's efforts to negotiate as many new trade agreements as possible that expand market access for U.S. companies and benefit American workers, but these deals take time, and many businesses simply can't afford to wait while negotiations proceed.' On April 2, which President Donald Trump dubbed 'Liberation Day,' he enacted varying percentages of tariffs on all countries. Chinese products got the worst of it, with its tariffs now as high as 145%. China soon after enacted 145% tariffs on U.S. products as well. Canada, one of the U.S.'s largest trade partners, was also hit with 25% tariffs on its products; likewise, Canada imposed reciprocal tariffs at the same rate on U.S. products. Tariffs on goods covered by the USMCA trade agreement are exempt. Though only in place for a month, tariffs are already troubling local officials. The North Country Chamber of Commerce in Plattsburgh, just a half hour south of the nearest U.S.-Canadian border crossing, has unsurprisingly joined the U.S. Chamber's call for these three immediate forms of tariff relief: — Immediate exemption of small business. If SBA sectoral definitions are used, this would include manufacturers with 500 or fewer employees. — Goods that are not produced in the U.S. — Restoration of a process to seek exemptions for businesses that cannot immediately source elsewhere and where jobs are at stake. Garry Douglas, Chamber President, said in a statement Thursday that the North Country is already being impacted negatively. 'We believe these are reasonable interim measures while awaiting trade agreements that could take many weeks or months,' Douglas said. 'These steps would mitigate economic damage which is starting to impact many North Country businesses. In the end, of course, we continue to seek the earliest possible resolutions of trade relationships, especially with Canada but also with other countries.' Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Yahoo
Lake Champlain gets national recognition
PLATTSBURGH — Lake Champlain, long known anecdotally as one of the best fisheries in the nation, has gained official recognition of such a title. FishingBooker, one of the world's largest platforms for booking fishing trips, has listed the lake as one of the top 18 freshwater fishing destinations in the country. FISHING 'GREAT THROUGHOUT' SEASON In naming Lake Champlain as one of the best, FishingBooker said, 'To start with, you'll get to chase after big lake trout, landlocked Atlantic salmon, and bass here. These are the most commonly targeted species, but the lake also holds northern pike and musky, as well as yellow perch and walleye.' It also mentioned, 'Trout and salmon fishing starts in early April, which is also an excellent time to reel in the rest of the lake's most coveted game fish. Usually, the fish will be lurking close to shore in spring and fall and moving deep in summertime, but the fishing is great throughout the open water season.' FishingBooker offers more than 50,000 fishing trips in more than 2,370 destinations worldwide. The North Country Chamber of Commerce, which promotes many of the professional fishing tournaments on the lake, said the lake has once again proven itself a world-class destination for anglers. 'Recognized for its incredible variety, accessibility, and strong year-round fishing, the lake stands proudly alongside some of the most iconic freshwater fisheries in the country,' the chamber said. NATIONAL RADAR The chamber noted that FishingBooker highlighted Lake Champlain for its abundance of sought-after species, making it a dream for anglers of all interests and skill levels. 'With its natural beauty, diverse fishery, and strong local partnerships, Lake Champlain continues to rise on the national radar,' Kristy Kennedy, Vice President of Marketing for the Adirondack Coast Visitors Bureau, said. 'This recognition wouldn't be possible without the years of dedication from our team — and especially Alyssa Senecal, who has planned and executed these nationally recognized tournaments for the past 11 years with incredible professionalism and care.' Town of Plattsburgh Supervisor Michael Cashman said the lake is truly one of the great treasures of the North Country, and its recognition as one of the best fishing lakes in the nation is well deserved. 'We are proud to celebrate the lake's remarkable fishery... But Lake Champlain is more than just a fishing destination. It's a critical economic engine, a recreational playground, and an environmental asset that shapes the character of our entire region,' Cashman said. 'This national recognition underscores the importance of safeguarding the lake's health and ensuring it continues to thrive for the benefit of our residents, visitors, and future generations.'
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Officials: Border crossings down 31%
PLATTSBURGH — The topsy-turvy world of on-again, off again tariffs has had a not-so-good impact locally to the dismay of local officials. 'Well, we now have the border crossing numbers for Champlain for March and, as anticipated, car crossings were down 31% compared with March 2024,' Garry Douglas, president of the North Country Chamber of Commerce, said. 'Visitation was down 16% in February but we knew March was the month that tariffs and counter-tariffs hit, along with a heightened sense that many of our northern friends and neighbors would avoid travel to the U.S. for now.' Douglas and other North Country officials have been concerned that tariffs proposed by President Donald Trump on Canadian goods would impact border business, which is a significant part of the North Country economy. The worry is that strained relations will hurt the region in the pocket book as well as create an easy social climate. Douglas noted that it appears that part of the reason border crossings in March were down so much from last year was that Easter, a time when many Canadians traditionally travel to the region, was in late March last year. 'We also cannot define the relative degree to which three factors are all affecting cross-border travel,' Douglas said. 'But it is a combination of a poor exchange rate for Canadians, a broad sense of hurt among Canadians, and the 25% surcharge imposed by Canada at the border as part of retaliatory tariffs.' While car traffic is down, the Chamber reports that truck crossings for March were up 12% and were up in January and February as well. 'We especially feel and appreciate the sense of hurt as one would with one's family,' Douglas said, noting that the Chamber is engaged in a marketing campaign in Quebec via social media and television that looks to differentiate the greater Plattsburgh area's special connection with Quebecers, along with tools for area businesses to highlight the welcoming of Canadian visitors. 'We need to remember that if visitation is off by 30% or more, that still means many of our neighbors are continuing to be here,' he said. Douglas said the Chamber is hopeful that expected U.S.-Canada negotiations following the upcoming April 28th Canadian election can lead to an agreed way forward, but notes the need for a significant period of outreach, reconciliation and healing thereafter. TOWN IMPACT Town of Plattsburgh Supervisor Michael Cashman said the town, which is home to many retail, restaurant and recreation attractions that Canadians visit, as well as Canadian manufacturers, said he is also concerned about the trend of border crossings. 'The Town of Plattsburgh is deeply aware of the challenges our community is facing as cross-border travel has been impacted,' Cashman said. 'Small businesses, which are the backbone of our economy, are especially feeling the strain.' Cashman said that while these times are tough, the enduring ties between Plattsburgh and our Canadian neighbors will not waver. 'With determination and collaboration, we will continue to support our local businesses, strengthen our partnerships, and look ahead to a brighter future for all,' he said. JONES CONCERNED State Assemblyman D. Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay Lake) said the continued unpredictability of the region's valued trade relationship with Canada has put an enormous strain on local businesses and economic activity in the North Country. 'Many businessowners have shared with me the economic hits they've already experienced because of the rising tensions. The uncertainty surrounding costs, product availability and less Canadians visiting the states has begun to strain businesses, a trend that will only rise if these senseless decisions continue,' Jones said. 'The Canadian government has also initiated their own taxes on goods crossing into their country, continuing to lower the flow of travelers between our two nations. Many North Country businesses rely on our friends and neighbors to the North for consistent economic stimulation throughout the year.' Jones said the region has already seen a sizeable decline in Canadian visitors planning their day trips, and shopping excursions in the short amount of time since elevated tariffs began earlier this year. Businesses like marinas, campgrounds, golf courses, and other summer attractions will start their season with a sharp decline in customer bookings due to less Canadians planning to travel across the border, he said. 'These local seasonal businesses will already be behind before they even open their doors to kick off their season,' Jones said. 'I remain committed to continuing talking to our Canadian partners and friends to resolve these issues and instill in them that North Country residents and businesses still welcome and respect them and want to work in a collaborative way as we have for decades.'
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
NNY business leaders, economists, policymakers worry Trump tariffs will prompt higher prices, less trade
Apr. 4—President Donald J. Trump's latest round of sweeping tariffs, set to make the United States the most expensive country to do international business with, started their phase-in at midnight Saturday, and economic experts are anticipating devastating impacts to the American economy. Trump announced a plan Wednesday for sweeping new import taxes on a vast majority of the goods imported into the U.S. — making the case that his administration was offering a "discounted rate" compared to the tariff rates foreign countries charge the U.S., and that doing so would spur a new era of American domestic manufacturing. He laid out tariffs of 10% on a majority of countries, with specifically higher rates for a select few including those in the European Union at 20%, China at 34%, Vietnam at 46% and Taiwan at 32%. These new import duties stack onto existing import taxes already in place, which means the Chinese tariff rate is closer to 54% in total. The 10% tariffs go into effect Saturday, with higher rates in effect on April 9. But in truth the Trump tariffs are not at all connected to the actual tax rates other countries charge on American exports to their markets. The actual formula for these tariffs takes the target country's trade deficit, divides it by its exports to the U.S. and then halves that result. Mexico and Canada are exempted from these new tariffs, but are still subject to a 25% tariff on goods not considered "USMCA compliant," which typically means any goods not wholly made in North America, plus a 25% tariff on steel, aluminum and automobiles from Canada. Those taxes were levied last month, after Trump threatened broader 25% tariffs on all goods from both nations, which are the U.S. primary trading partners. In the north country and New York, those Canadian tariffs have been the main concern for most business leaders and government officials. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer has called on Trump to reverse course on the Canadian tariffs, and the North Country Chamber of Commerce has said trade barriers with Canada would decimate the regional economy. "97% of area businesses expressed opposition to U.S. tariffs on Canada in our 2025 Issue Survey and with good reason," said Garry Douglas, president of the chamber. "It's because no other area in the country is more economically and socially connected with Canada or serves as a better microcosm of why a trade war with our northern friends is just a bad thing binationally." Douglas said he was disappointed to see that Trump didn't reverse the limited tariffs in place with Canada in his announcement this week. "We call for the U.S. to step back and hit pause in the case of Canada, await the Canadian election in a few weeks, and then engage in a bilateral dialogue," Douglas said. "Without this, we face growing disruptions in manufacturing supply chains, spring and summer construction, energy costs, and tourism." Trump's Canada tariffs are unpopular in Congress, with the U.S. Senate voting on Wednesday to reverse the 25% tariff on non-USMCA compliant goods. The resolution only asks the administration to reverse course and doesn't order it, and is unlikely to see a vote in the Republican-controlled House, but four Republicans in the Senate voted with all Democrats to pass it. As for the wider tariffs, Senate leaders started working on a measure that would limit presidential power to impose the import taxes, requiring that both the House and Senate vote to approve of any new tariff plans within 60 days of their implementation, or they would be revoked. Congress under the Constitution maintains the sole right to implement tariffs as a tax — through the usual process that requires tax legislation start in the House. But it has long delegated the power to impose import and export taxes to the presidency — a move that Senate President Pro Tempore Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, said should be reversed. "Congress has a constitutional role through the Commerce Clause on trade matters, and we should re-assume that role," Grassley said on a call with reporters Tuesday, a recording of which was obtained by the Watertown Daily Times. Tariffs are simply taxes, and Bright A. Osei, associate professor of economics at SUNY Canton, said there's not much evidence that such broadly implemented tariffs are a good way to achieve the president's goals of rebuilding the American economy. "Tariffs are basically taxes, and the impact on the consumer is well documented," he said. "There is maybe some increase in productive activities, production, but across the board we are not sure as to how this will increase overall domestic production." Osei said the first round of Trump tariffs passed in 2018 didn't manage to greatly boost the U.S. manufacturing sector, and the COVID-19 pandemic onset in 2020 made sure that any incremental progress on that front was erased. Most likely, Osei said these tariffs will lead to a reduction in economic activity rather than a boost — in part because Trump's tariffs are being charged on all goods brought into the country rather than competitive ones or ones the U.S. already produces. Dylan Hewitt, a former deputy assistant U.S. trade representative, worked on tariffs in the Biden White House, and said these Trump plans break all the traditional rules about trade policy. "What we're seeing now is that this trade policy is turning into an SOS moment for our economy," he said. "This approach is chaotic, it's playing games with the economy like a yo-yo, the will he or won't he of these tariffs. There's no strategy, there's no vision here." Hewitt said that tariffs in the modern globalized economy can be used to protect domestic production when paired with strong pro-worker, pro-business policies that do something to boost the sectors that are meant to be protected. But without a targeted approach that weighs what the country is able to do on its own, and lays out a path of multiple inter-twined policies, tariffs will do more to hurt than help. "To create a successful economic policy, you have to take a step back and look at the economy as a whole, you have to look at your families, your workers, your farmers," he said. Hewitt said that it's particularly concerning that the Trump administration is taxing products the U.S. cannot produce domestically — raw materials like coffee that have no domestic sources whatsoever. "Tariffing coffee from South America limits our ability to get specific goods that we can't grow here," Hewitt said. "That will just drive prices up." Hewitt said he was worried about the future of the north country. The region has already had its industrial capacity hollowed out by years of disinvestment, free trade policies and a general shift in the manufacturing base in the U.S. Coupled with the reciprocal tariffs countries are now putting in place on American products, including agriculture products like those produced in NNY, Hewitt said balance sheets are likely to get tighter in the coming weeks and months. "I am really worried about our farmers and their ability to do commerce at the northern border, but just generally, generally competing in a global market," he said. "And I'm worried about our families, who you know will immediately face rising costs and don't really have all that much other economic relief."
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
North Country businesses report drop in Canadian visitors
A survey of hotels, restaurants and retailers in the North Country suggests businesses in the hospitality industry saw fewer Canadian visitors in March because U.S. tariffs and Canadians are responding. Garry Douglas, president of the North Country Chamber of Commerce, says the feedback from businesses reflects the expected decline in Canadian plans to visit the North Country this year. 'We saw a 16% decline in cars at the Champlain border crossing in February and, while we don't yet have March numbers, we expect this number to be larger for the last month,' Douglas said. The Chamber says more than three-quarters of the businesses surveyed — 76% — say the political climate and tariffs are the main cause the decline in business; 43% also blamed the decline to the exchange rate. which is about 70 cents now. Other findings from the survey include: One in four businesses say Canadians make up 26-50% of their customers; More than 13.3% says Canadians are more than 50% of their business; Major retailers estimate that 30% of shopping traffic is driven by Canadians; About 60% of businesses report that 25-50% of their revenue is generated by Canadian visitors More than quarter of business in the survey say they have reduced staffing in response to the decreas n visitors from Canada. North Country businesses turn on the charm to bring back Canadian visitors With so much of its economy tied to Canadian tourism, the Chamber is asking North Country businesses to join its Welcome Canadians campaign. The Adirondack Coast Visitors Bureau is providing businesses with signs and other materials to create and spread 'a consistent, region-wide message of welcome.' 'While overall visitation numbers may be down, it's important to remember that Canadians are still crossing the border and choosing our region as their getaway,' says Kristy Kennedy, the bureau's vice president of marketing and tourism. The bureau is also amping up its advertising in Montreal and expanding efforts into New York's 'drive markets' to help boost lost visitation. 'For some perspective on the stakes, a Chamber study in 2004 estimated that Canadians were spending $310 million annually in just Clinton County, including shopper. tourists and other visitors,' Douglas says. 'Even without applying inflation since then, the economic impact is huge, and the impact of any significant drop is large as well.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
