Sault mayor meets with other mayors on the U.S. border to discuss tariff threat

Sault Mayor Matthew Shoemaker joined with other cities that border the U.S. to discuss the threat of new tariffs threatened by Trump.

Hours after being sworn in, American President Donald Trump reiterated his plans to put tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico.

Border mayors across the country got together this weekend to discuss the impacts they may see and to consider ways to soften any impact.

Included in the meetings was Sault Ste. Marie Mayor Matthew Shoemaker.

“It was really about making sure that we are advocating for a common position of wanting to be, you know, at the table with the federal government in terms of formulating their response to the tariff questions,” Shoemaker said.

“And wanting to be kept informed of the … countermeasures that are going to be taken.”

Trump has threatened to impose 25 per cent tariffs on its North American neighbours beginning in February.

Shoemaker said places like the Sault would be hurt more directly than other communities in Canada. With new steel tariffs a real possibility, the city’s economy would be harmed.

“That could send our economy into recession and put at risk all the growth that we’ve experienced over the last several years,” he said.

“What I worry about is, is when there’s a conflict like this taking place, there’s losses on both sides,” said Jason Naccarato of the Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce.

“I think that we can be more prosperous if we’re working together. I think between Canada (and) the United States, there can be prosperity for both nations.”

Shoemaker expects that subtle jabs taken by Trump will be something Canadians have to get used to until a renegotiated trade agreement is in place.

He and Naccarato are hopeful the federal government is able to come to terms with the U.S. president before any new tariffs are implemented."

“If he truly only wants what he’s saying, which is … better controls on immigration and illegal immigration and illegal drug trade across the borders, I mean, to me, we can accomplish what he wants us to do and achieve some sort of metrics that he wants us to hit,” Naccarato said.

“And maybe this all goes away if that’s truly what’s happening.”

Shoemaker said border mayors will meet periodically, and he said he is in regular contact with Sault MP Terry Sheehan on Canada-U.S. relations.