Gov. Maura Healey and 5 different northeastern governors invited Canadian premiers to Boston to debate the impacts of President Donald Trump’s tariffs and the way the 2 nations can preserve “strong trade relations that benefit local businesses and residents,” Healey’s workplace stated Monday.
The potential future gathering, particulars of which weren’t instantly launched by the Healey administration, comes as Trump has stated he needs to make Canada the 51st state of the USA and has positioned tariffs on exports from the nation.
In a press release alongside a letter to the premiers, Healey stated Canada is Massachusetts’ high buying and selling companion, together with for items and sources like lumber, vitality, dairy, automobiles and automotive components, and seafood.
“Our businesses and our residents all benefit from this relationship,” Healey stated. “But President Trump’s tariffs are undermining this partnership, making it harder for businesses to keep their doors open, and increasing the cost of everything that the New England and Canadian people rely on.”
Healey signed onto the letter with Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont, Maine Gov. Janet Mills, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, and Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee — all of whom are Democrats. Vermont Gov. Phil Scott was the lone Republican to connect his title to the missive.
The state executives stated they need to hold “open lines of communication and cooperation and identify avenues to overcome the hardship of the uninvited tariffs and help our economies endure.”
“As we continue to navigate this period of great uncertainty, we are committed to preserving cross-border travel, encouraging tourism in our respective jurisdictions, and amenities,” the governors stated. “To that end, we invite you to join us for an in-person convening in Boston, Massachusetts, to be held in the coming weeks. We will be in touch to discuss your availability for this meeting.”
The invitation was prolonged to the premiers of six Canadian provinces — New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, and Québec.
Mills stated Canada can be Maine’s single largest buying and selling companion, with greater than $6 billion in cross-border commerce occurring in 2024 alone.
“Our economies and our cultures have enjoyed strong relationships for generations, which is now strained by the president’s haphazard tariffs and harmful rhetoric targeting our northern neighbors,” Mills stated in a press release.
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