U.S.-Canada relationship has been ‘broken’: N.B. mayor

Saint John Mayor Donna Reardon discusses the challenges posed by the U.S. tariffs for the Port City.

Saint John, N.B., Mayor Donna Reardon says President Donald Trump’s ongoing tariffs threats have created a significant rift between Canada and the United States.

“We’ve enjoyed this very wonderful relationship with the States and our economies are so integrated but at this point in time we’re being threatened by our closest neighbour and our closest ally,” Reardon told CTV News Atlantic’s Todd Battis during an interview on Thursday. “That relationship, I feel, has been broken for us and we need to move on.”

Reardon said it’s been difficult to keep up with the constant changes in the status of the U.S. tariffs, particularly this week. On Tuesday, President Trump implemented 25 per cent across-the-board tariffs. He later implemented one-month pauses on automotive tariffs and tariffs on USMCA-compliant goods.

“It’s the uncertainty and the instability that’s been created,” Reardon said. “I don’t know from one hour to the next what’s going to happen. It seems everything is being decided by one person. It’s hard to navigate it.”

Like many Canadian politicians, Reardon is advocating for a reduction of interprovincial trade barriers to invigorate the economy amid the trade war.

“I don’t think (trade barriers) are being dismantled quickly enough,” she said. “They’ve been in place so long and they’ve never been challenged. Why can’t we enjoy what we’re exporting to other countries in our own country?”

Reardon noted the Saint John-based Irving Oil refinery puts out hundreds of thousands of barrels of crude oil a day, much of which goes to the United States.

“It’s not easy for the U.S. market to get another supplier tomorrow,” she said.

Reardon said Canada needs to be united at this point and seek out new economic partnerships.

“We have to (move on) because if we don’t do it, we’re stuck with a neighbour who will continue to threaten us and beat us up,” she said. “We’ve been very parochial over time as a country. It’s time to bind together and find out what’s best for the country.”

For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.