Border city residents on the Canadian facet of the Canada-U.S. border say tensions are heightened between the 2 nations amid the tariff war.
Eric Higgins, a resident of St. Stephen, N.B. — a border city simply throughout the river from the state of Maine — mentioned the tariffs are going to impression households and the economic system on either side.
“I discover tensions on the border being the very best they’ve ever been in my life,” Higgens mentioned.
“I keep in mind when my grandfather used to simply drive throughout and wave to the man on the opposite facet.”
On Tuesday, U.S. President Donald Trump slapped 25 per cent tariffs on the overwhelming majority of Canadian imports, sparking a rising commerce struggle between the 2 neighbouring nations.
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In response to the U.S. tariffs, Canada is imposing an instantaneous 25 per cent tariff on $30 billion price of U.S. items, with further tariffs on one other $125 billion in American items to observe three weeks later.
St. Stephen Mayor Allan MacEachern says the shift in sentiment in border cities is regarding.
“In these border communities, we’re one neighborhood,” MacEachern mentioned. “It’s very regarding instances to divide two communities which were collectively for my entire life.”
MacEachern mentioned the tariffs and the uncertainty surrounding them are already hurting companies.
“We had a serious improvement that simply is within the beginning part … and so they simply determined we’re going to tug the plug on it there,” he mentioned.
In the meantime, in Bocabec, N.B., Gail Cunningham says she lives about 20 minutes from the border and used to cross into the U.S. as soon as per week however now not does.
“The overall feeling is that the person who’s in cost is within the strategy of making an attempt to destroy the connection between small communities like St. Andrews and St. Stephen and Calais which have at all times gotten alongside,” Cunningham mentioned.
In terms of Trump’s feedback about making Canada the 51st state, locals have robust phrases.
“Rubbish. Simply rubbish. He’s enjoying a sport,” Cunningham mentioned.
MacEachern mentioned he’s upset at how Canadians are being spoken to by Trump after years of being shut allies and needs to see individuals focus as a substitute on unity.
“Don’t get caught up on the subjects typically, keep united as Canada, and our provinces,” MacEachern mentioned.
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