Anxiety over tariffs weighs on both sides of New Brunswick-Maine border
Mainers keeping an anxious eye on tariff talk
"Maine has a very close relationship with Canada, both commercially, economically but also culturally," Pingree. "We consider ourselves, you know, good friends of the Canadians and we want to keep it that way."
Pingree also wants Canadians to know they are always welcome in Maine.
"I want to be sure and convey to our Canadian friends that we love them," she said.
"[We] will do anything we can to keep promoting that kind of cross-border relationship."
Chellie
Pingree, the Democratic congresswoman for Maine’s 1st congressional
district, says Maine has a very close relationship with Canada. (CBC)
To say there has been a negative reaction in Canada to the threat of tariffs would be an understatement.
From moves to Buy Canadian, to businesses moving away from American goods, to booing the U.S. national anthem at sporting events, Canadians have been vocal in their displeasure over the threat of tariffs.
Kristin Vekasi, a political scientist at the University of Maine in Orono, said the relationship between the two nations is "one of the most important" but it will take time to heal the wounds.
"All of these beautiful relationships that we've built up over time I think [are] built a lot on mutual trust," said Vekasi.
"It's going to be very difficult to rebuild some of that … I think that we will be able to do that, but it's going to take a lot of hard work, particularly on this side of the border."
‘Friendship across borders’ undermined by U.S. tariff threat, says UMaine profVelaski said while the tariff threat wasn't necessarily a shock, it still took many in Maine by surprise.
"There's concern about prices of course, but there's also concern, about these long-standing business relationships that have been developed in some of Maine's really important industries and that those might not be able to stand the test of this trade war."
Maine would be particularly hard hit by any trade war between the United States and Canada.
According to a Scotiabank Economics report, Maine exports about 42 per cent of its goods to Canada. Meanwhile 72 per cent of the state's imports come from Canada.
Amir Mousavian, a professor of supply chain management at Maine's University of New England, said all you need to do to get a good example of the negative impact tariffs will have is look at the energy market.
"The majority of fuel for the state comes from Canada," said Mousavian.
"So if there are 10 per cent tariffs on fuel cost, it's going to drive the prices for fuel across the state, which is going to have cascading effects for the rest of the industries."
Amir
Mousavian, a professor of supply chain management at the University of
New England, says tariffs would increase fuel prices for Mainers and
hurt the state's tourism sector. (CBC)
That's something that also concerns Pingree. She said while the state has focused on diversifying its energy grid, much of the state is still reliant on imported fuel.
"We are still one of the most oil dependent states in the nation," she said.
"Many of our homes are heated with oil, a few by natural gas and we're highly dependent on importing that into our state."
Mousavian is also concerned for Maine's tourism industry, an understandable concern for a state has been known for decades as "vacationland."
He says the industry could be impacted both by Canadians not wanting to travel to the U.S., but also by families having less money to spend on vacations because of price increases caused by tariffs.
"We rely on a lot of Canadians and our neighbours to come to the state, have a great time in the hospitality business and the tourism industry here is super huge."
A longstanding connection between New Brunswick and Maine is being tested by talk of tariffs. (Jordan Gill/CBC)
But not all of Maine's elected officials see the tariffs as harmful to the state.
Jared Golden, the Democratic congressman for Maine's 2nd congressional district, has largely been supportive of Trump's stance.
""Tariffs push back against decades of free trade and globalization that prioritized low prices above all else," said Golden in a statement posted on his website.
And while Trump has cited issues around wages and jobs as a reason for tariffs, he's cited another rationale for the ones threatened against Canada.
Trump's executive order reads that tariffs will be imposed on March 4 if "the illegal migration and illicit drug crises worsen, and if the Government of Canada fails to take sufficient steps to alleviate these crises."
Rep. Pingree said she's "virtually never" heard concerns from her constituents about security at the Maine-New Brunswick border and thinks Trump's mention of it now has more to do with rhetoric than policy.
"It was embarrassing to us for the president to use that as his argument," said Pingree.
"I've never had anyone raise to me, that the Canadian border should be shut down or we should build a northern wall or anything like that."
While economic ties run deep between New Brunswick and Maine, arguably familial and community ties run deeper.
Joseph Underwood, the Republican state representative for District 5, which includes Presque Isle, believes these connections will outlast any tariff talk.
"Time will tell what it means for the leadership on both sides of the border, but the historic, family and cultural ties between Aroostook County and our neighbours in Canada are strong and will outlast the tariff issue," said Underwood in a statement to CBC News.
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N.B. residents near U.S. border wary yet resolute in face of possible tariffs
St. Stephen-area residents pledge stronger support for local businesses
St. Stephen residents react to threat of tariffsWaiting tables in the small community of St. Stephen, on the New Brunswick-United States border, gives Jennifer MacMichael a sense of the talk around town.
On Monday, the looming threat of U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods was echoed in conversations she overheard among patrons having breakfast at Carman's Diner, where she works as a server.
It's also an issue she herself has been talking about.
"I'm concerned about the economy ... and how will it affect business."
St. Stephen is a stone's thrown away from Calais, Maine, with the two separated by the St. Croix River.
Jennifer
MacMichael says she plans to cut down on her trips across the border
into Maine in response to U.S. President Donald Trump's plan to impose
sweeping tariffs on imports from Canada. (Aidan Cox/CBC)
Starting Tuesday most goods flowing south from St. Stephen — and the rest of Canada — were supposed to be subject to a 25 per cent tariff.
However, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said late Monday that U.S. President Donald Trump will hold off on levying tariffs on Canada for at least 30 days.
Cutting down on border crossings
If the tariffs proceed after the 30-day reprieve, they are expected to have economic ramifications on both sides of the border, driving up prices for imported goods and potentially hindering business growth.
For MacMichael, who spoke to CBC News just hours before the reprieve was announced, she said she planned to cut down on the trips she takes across the border.
"You have to think of your own country first," she said.
Sylva Cassells lives near St. Stephen, and said the tariff threat has left her feeling "conflicted" about her relationships with the people and businesses across the border in Calais.
She said she has friends and family she cares about who live in Calais. She was also considering enrolling her son at a dance studio in that town.
With tariffs a possibility, she said she's rethinking her spending choices on the other side of the border.
"I want to support the people I know and love in Calais, but at the same time, I have trouble with supporting the tariffs and what's going to happen in our community as a whole for Canada," Cassells said.
Supporting Canadian
It's not uncommon for residents of St. Stephen to cross the border to shop for groceries and other goods in Maine, said Donald Hunter, who lives in St. Stephen.
He said while he's aware there are some deals to be had in doing so, he already avoids the practice in order to support Canadian businesses.
Donald
Hunter said he's going to be paying closer attention to the origin of
the products he buys in Canada, with plans on avoiding any that are made
in the United States. (Shane Fowler/CBC)
If the U.S. tariffs go ahead, he said he's going to be paying extra close attention to the origin of the products he buys here in Canada.
"I will try to avoid U.S. products," Hunter said, before the announcement of the 30-day hold.
Sheila Saban said she also does her best to support Canadian products, but all the talk about tariffs have strengthened her resolve to buy local.
Sheila
Saban said she already shops at Canadian-owned businesses, but going
forward, plans to cut out her purchases of Florida-made orange juice. (Shane Fowler/CBC)
She said items already off her shopping list include orange juice from Florida and a U.S.-made cat food she typically bought in the past.
Having moved from to the St. Stephen area from Niagara, Ont., last year, Saban said she's used to living near the U.S. border and enjoyed the sense of connectedness between the two nations.
With the tariffs, Saban said she feels like that connectedness been deeply shaken.
"[Canada] had an agreement that they negotiated with Trump several years ago. So it is a betrayal, and I think a lot of Canadians are feeling that way," she said.
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From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, Feb 3, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Subject: Mayors along the Canada-U.S. border form alliance against Trump tariffs
To: <mayor@chocolatetown.ca>
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