Shoemaker talks tariffs
Sault Ste. Marie Mayor Matthew Shoemaker has issued the following statement on the decision by U.S. President Donald Trump to levy tariffs on goods entering the United States from Canada.
“U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to levy tariffs on Canadian imports will harm both countries. It is a reckless and short-sighted choice. Canada and the United States share the most successful trade relationship in modern history, valued at approximately $950 billion per year and supporting millions of jobs on both sides of the border.
The unjustified tariffs on Canadian goods will harm both countries, and American mayors understand the broader consequences. They recognize the importance of protecting the productive economic relationship shared between our countries, and that’s why the U.S. Conference of Mayors passed an emergency resolution urging the U.S. administration to reverse its course. This act of solidarity underscores the recklessness of these tariffs.
While these tariffs will affect Canadians across the country, people in Sault Ste. Marie understand all too well that those in the towns and cities along our nation’s border – whose economies and communities are deeply intertwined with our American neighbours – will be impacted even more significantly. That’s why mayors across Canada joined together to form the Border Mayors Alliance. The Alliance advocates for the protection of local economies and the interests of communities along the Canada-U.S. border. We are committed to safeguarding our communities and offering a crucial municipal perspective within national and international policy discussions.
While these tariffs certainly pose a massive economic challenge for Canada, it is important to recognize that Americans will feel the pain as well. Recent history offers a guide to the consequences of levying tariffs on Canada. A study published by Econofact found that, “while the 2018 tariffs reduced steel imports, they also caused U.S. steel prices to rise, placing downstream manufacturing industries at a competitive disadvantage.” The study estimated that these tariffs resulted in 75,000 lost jobs – far exceeding any gains in the steel-production sector.
Canadians are strong and resilient. Saultites are strong and resilient. Now is the time for us to come together and draw on this resilience in the face of this unjustified challenge. We will not be deterred.”