Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Trade topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Premiers warn proposed tariffs could threaten nearly $1 trillion in annual U.S.-Canada trade
Summary
At the Vermont press session, premiers warned proposed U.S. tariffs threaten "almost $1,000,000,000,000" in bilateral trade and cited an Aug. 19 deadline for potential tariff measures; leaders urged federal negotiators toward comprehensive deals.
Conference co-chair Rob Lance told reporters that nearly $1 trillion in annual U.S.-Canada trade is at risk if tariff measures proceed. "Almost $1,000,000,000,000 of bilateral trade happens every year," Lance said, and he warned that border constraints are impeding supply-chain integration across the region.
Lance said federal negotiators are working on a comprehensive deal intended to open trade and that leaders at the summit expressed a clear preference for tariff-free, fair trade. He flagged an August 19 deadline tied to pending measures and said provinces and states would watch negotiations closely.
Reporters also asked whether premiers would weigh in directly with the U.S. administration. Scott said governors and premiers discussed tariffs at the summit and that he had not yet received a response from the federal government or Secretary Lutz. The leaders urged their federal counterparts to seek a negotiated, comprehensive solution.
