With "trade war" threats looming, governors from the Northeast and eastern Canadian premiers gathered Monday at the Massachusetts State House to shore up relations, asserting their economies and populations are inextricably linked.
Despite messages of friendship and cooperation at the meeting, the political leaders pointed to disruptions in mutually beneficial supply lines, tourism, the energy grid, and overall relations between the U.S. and Canada. The officials are maneuvering to protect the interests of their constituents as President Donald Trump proposes tariffs against Canadian goods and suggests making Canada the United States' "51st state."
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WATCH HEREMassachusetts Gov. Maura Healey noted a decline on Canadian tourism in New England.
"Massachusetts, we expect about 20% as the decline," she said. "I think New Hampshire is that. Vermont reports that hotel reservations by Canadians are down 45%."
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SIGN UP "We're so intertwined. Our supply chain is so intertwined," said Ontario Premier Doug Ford.
But despite shared frustrations and words of unity, Canadian leaders are making clear they're ready to take advantage of the moment.
"I'm not going to pretend that folks in Canada don't see this as an opportunity for us to attract some of the brightest and best from here," said New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt.
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Trump met with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney at the Group of Seven (G7) conference in the Canadian Rockies on Monday morning. The group of U.S. governors and Canadian premiers who met at the same time said they hoped the two leaders would find some resolution during their talks in Alberta, Canada.
"They're going to have a discussion, and hopefully it will sink in to President Trump, this is serious," Ford said.
"Let there be a resolution there so that we all can get on with our lives," Healey said.
Republicans argue that a combative approach isn't productive.
"It would behoove the leaders to really act in a more cooperative way and a more positive way with this administration," said Massachusetts Republican Chair Amy Carnevale.
The G7 nations are Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States.
