Six US governors are trying to maintain cross-border trade with Canada amid tensions related to US tariffs.
The invitation was extended with the addition of Massachusetts, Maine Governor, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Vermont on May 5th.
The letter was sent to the prime ministers of Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Labrador, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.
“We are very aware of the impact these tariffs will have on citizens on both sides of the border. Large and small businesses employing citizens in the US and Canada are already facing serious consequences from the trade war as tariffs make the lives of our people and our businesses more and more expensive,” the governor wrote.
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On March 3, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutonic praised the work Canada and Mexico have done to curb the flow of illegal immigration, but urged more countries to stop the fentanyl movement.
“They haven’t done enough with fentanyl,” Rutnick said.
Another goal of the president’s tariffs is to reshow US manufacturing and revive the country’s industrial bases.
According to the letter, the convened convened by the governor will bring together us and Canadian leaders, as they will be held in Boston in the coming weeks, to discuss ways to mitigate economic disruption and maintain long-standing cross-border relations. The governor said he will follow up to discuss meeting availability and scheduling.
In a press release announcing the official invitation, Healy said, “Canada is Massachusetts’ number one trading partner.”
“For generations, we have enjoyed strong partnerships and healthy exchanges of energy, wood, dairy products, car parts, seafood, and more. Our businesses and residents all benefit from this relationship.”
Healy added that he believes tariffs undermine its partnership, leaving businesses open and making it more difficult for them to increase the costs of products in Canada and New England.
Other governors reflected these concerns.
“Canada is Maine’s only largest trading partner, and over $6 billion in cross-border commerce has occurred last year alone,” said Maine Gov. Janet Mills. “Our economy and our culture have enjoyed strong relationships across generations, and this is now strained by the president’s accidental tariffs and the harmful rhetoric targeting its north neighbours.”
New York Governor Kathy Hochul called the tariff “the biggest tax rise in American history” and called it “devastating for small businesses, family farms and local manufacturers.”
Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont said the state’s relationship with Canada is “important for important large and large businesses,” while Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee said “it’s important to come together to protect jobs and industries that rely on a strong and stable US-Canada partnership.”
Vermont Gov. Phil Scott, the only Republican of the six, said: “A trade war with friends to the North, our biggest trading partner, seems like a bad idea.”
The governor emphasized that cross-border relationships are rooted in shared history, not just economic needs. “Our relationships are important not only based on mutual financial benefits, but also on centuries-old family and cultural ties that prioritize politics,” they wrote in the letter.
The White House did not respond to Epoch Times’ requests for comment regarding the governor’s invitation before publication.
The administration said the US faces a trade deficit of $1.2 trillion a year. This is the largest in US history.
Jackson Richman contributed to this article.
