View From the Legislature

Maybe it has happened before, but it is not something I remember seeing. Watching on television Saturday night as Canadian hockey fans booed the playing of the United States national anthem was both surreal and sad. The relationship between Canada and the United States has not been without its challenges over the past 150 years, but it has always remained one of the most cooperative and enduring nation to nation friendships in the world.

But this weekend, for most Canadians, what they felt was a mixture of frustration, confusion, and judging by the hockey game in Ottawa, anger. All this in response to the official announcement by President Donald Trump that a 25% tariff would be applied to almost all Canadian exports to the U.S. For most Canadians and many Americans, the tariffs don’t make much sense. The White House itself confirmed on the weekend that they would almost certainly increase the price Americans pay for food, cars and gas, just to name a few.

President Trump initially indicated he was concerned about fentanyl (a deadly drug we should all be concerned about) crossing the Canadian border into the United States. The fact is that less than 1% of fentanyl in the U.S. comes over the Canadian border. Regardless, over the weekend the President stated nothing could be done to stop the tariffs and then later he restated that if Canada were to join the United States the tariffs would end. By Monday he was suggesting their needed to be more access for American banks and agriculture into Canada. For Canadians, and probably Americans, it was all a bit confusing.

Regardless, what is clear is that any tariffs would increase prices in the U.S. even as they are designed to make Canadian products less competitive. In Canada, both Prime Minister Trudeau and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre supported retaliatory tariffs had the U.S. tariffs come into effect Tuesday. These were to be applied to targeted U.S. products coming into Canada as a means of applying pressure on the American government to reconsider the tariffs. And perhaps that had some effect.

By Monday, the Trump White House announced that the tariffs on Canada which were to start the next day would be delayed at least 30 days. Canada recommitted to strengthening border security and President Trump restated his desire to see some economic measures changed.

The 30-day delay was good news. But make no mistake, the days ahead are likely to be uncertain, could change quickly, and may yet be difficult.

Many Canadians have voiced a desire to buy goods made in Canada. Buying local has always been something that benefits communities in Canada and today more than ever that is true. And in a time where many will feel powerless to impact global events, it is a meaningful way to make a difference.

Nationally, it is important that Canadian leaders continue to have a unified voice on the need to maintain free trade between our nations. It also means working with the White House, U.S. Governors and other state lawmakers to apply pressure and find a long-term solution. A prolonged tariff fight is not in the interest of either country.

What the past few days have also reminded leaders is that there needs to be a renewed effort to expand our export markets, get more resources to market, make Canada more competitive and end interprovincial trade barriers.

Even after these difficult past few days, I truly believe that the vast majority of Americans value their relationship with Canada and Canadians. As the former co-chair of the Midwest U.S. – Canada Relations Committee for more than a decade I have worked closely with U.S. lawmakers. Overwhelmingly I have felt that there is an understanding that our two countries do better when we are working together.

My hope would be that as we continue to work through this very difficult time between our two countries that we remember the shared history and interests that we have. I hope there is a time soon where we can all stand in respect for our two national anthems and save the jeering for our rival hockey teams.