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The Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce has joined a bi-national coalition of chambers calling for ongoing collaboration in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Canadian-made goods.
The bi-national group — representing over 5,000 organizations and the busiest North American trade crossing between Windsor and Detroit — is calling for the removal of trade barriers and a continued commitment to policies that strengthen both Canada and the U.S.
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“The Windsor-Essex region is foundationally, economically, and socially interconnected with the United States,” Ryan Donally, the newly appointed president and CEO of the Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce, said in statement. “Windsor-Detroit is the busiest land crossing with approximately 8,000 trucks carrying an estimated $325-million or 1/3 of all Canada-U.S. trade flowing across the border daily.
“This relationship extends beyond business, as approximately 6,000 nurses, doctors, engineers and other professionals cross the border on a daily basis to care-for and support our American neighbours, friends, and families.”
As a hub for automotive manufacturing and agriculture, the region is expected to be among the hardest hit by the loss of 500,000 jobs as a result of 25 per cent U.S. tariffs.
Trumps tariffs will cost the average Canadian household $1,900 CAD annually, while American families will see an average loss of $1,300 USD per year, according to the chambers of commerce.
The group said international trade between both countries is valued at $1.3 trillion annually and supports millions of jobs on both sides of the border.
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“Our group does not favour tariffs between our two countries,” the bi-national coalition said in a Friday release. “At a time of high inflation and when governments on both sides of the border have committed to fighting that inflation, this entirely avoidable economic burden to American and Canadian families must be rejected.”
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Citing success with double-digit trade growth, the group is advocating for a renewed commitment to the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (USMCA/CUSMA). They are also pushing for a 25 per cent increase in U.S.-Canada steel trade, strengthening the agri-food sector, and boosting the automotive industry to produce an additional one million vehicles per year by 2028.
“The Windsor-Essex Chamber of Commerce supports this alliance and advocates for continued economic partnerships that mutually enhance the quality of life for citizens and business on both sides of our shared border,” Donally said.
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At an election campaign stop in Brampton, Ontario Progressive Conservative Leader Doug Ford said Saturday that Trump was clear that he would move forward with “reckless tariffs.”
“To President Trump I can only say this: this is not a smart move. It’s selfish,” Ford said. “It not only hurts Canadians, it hurts your own people.”
Ford, who launched his reelection campaign in Windsor on Wednesday, reiterated his message for Canada to “hit back strong.”
In a post to the social media site X late Saturday, Trump said he had implemented a 25 per cent tariff on imports from Mexico and Canada, including a 10 per cent tariff on Canadian energy.
“This was done through the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) because of the major threat of illegal aliens and deadly drugs killing our citizens, including fentanyl,” Trump said. “We need to protect Americans, and it is my duty as President to ensure the safety of all.”
The alliance includes Chambers of Commerce from Windsor-Essex, Chatham-Kent, Hamilton, Greater Niagara, and the Buffalo-Niagara regions.
With files from The Canadian Press
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