Canadian mayors join forces to counter Donald Trump’s threat of tariffs
Windsor (Ontario) Mayor Drew Dilkens and Surrey (British Columbia) Mayor Brenda Locke, together with some 20 other Canadian mayors, have formed the ‘Border Mayors Alliance’ to protect their communities from Donald Trump’s threat of a trade war between Canada and the US
February 2025: US President Donald Trump has threatened Canada, America's most important trading partner, with 25 per cent tariffs on anything the US imports from its northern neighbour. The threat, if implemented, would have the greatest impact on business and industry in Canadian towns and cities bordering the US.
Now, some 20 mayors of communities along the Canada-US border have joined forces to respond to the Trump administration’s aggressive announcements. Under the leadership of Windsor (Ontario) Mayor Drew Dilkens, the mayors have formed the Border Mayors Alliance intended to serve as a unified, national voice to safeguard communities and bring a municipal perspective to an international discussion. The mayor of Windsor, Ont., which borders Detroit, is serving as the alliance's chair.
Mayor Dilkens stressed that the Canada-US trade relationship was one of the largest trade relationships in the world and includes a vast regional diversity such as manufacturing, technology and innovations as well as highly integrated supply chains. Canada and the US have never faced a circumstance that so profoundly threatens our shared economy and poses such devastating impacts on our country, our cities, and our families," he said.
Mike Bradley, the Mayor of Sarnia (Ontario) urged Canada’s prime minister and provincial premiers to speak to communities like his about frustration with the US that is bubbling up over Donald Trump's proposed tariffs and comments about absorbing Canada. “Talk to us. We understand the complexity of the relationship and know the American and Canadian people have always got along," he said.
The US President told a news conference that he's looking to use economic force to get rid of the border between the two countries. The Sarnia mayor said he expected the tariffs to happen, which he said would affect his community. According to ‘Statistics Canada’, more than 15 per cent of jobs in the Windsor-Sarnia economic region are at risk amid Trump's tariff threats.
Mayor Bradley said that there would be collateral damage in the US, but he added Trump would no doubt blame other factors if his proposed tariffs affected Americans.
The latest Canadian city leader to join the Border Mayors Alliance is Brenda Locke, the Mayor of Surrey (British Columbia). She announced Surrey’s decision at a joint press conference with Windsor Mayor Dilkens.
"This urgent situation demands immediate and unified attention from all levels of government and across party lines with a Canada First approach," said Mayor Locke. "With our city serving as the hub of British Columbia's largest trucking industry, we play a critical role in facilitating cross-border trade. One of my priorities in the Border Mayors Alliance is to safeguard Surrey’s economic interests and the well-being of our local businesses; the bottom line is this would affect every city across the nation. The introduction of these tariffs threatens to disrupt vital supply chains, impacting cities and communities across the country."
“This situation is ever-evolving, demanding immediate action to counteract the looming pressures on our economy,” said Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens, Chair of the Border Mayors Alliance. “There’s a reason that it’s called a ‘trade war’ – there are casualties on both sides. That’s why Canadian mayors of cities and towns along the Canada-US border are united in this partnership that serves as a unified national voice to safeguard our communities and offer a municipal perspective within our national discussion. As mayors of border cities and towns, we witness first-hand the interconnected prosperity our communities contribute to the national economy.”
As the largest trading partner of the US, Canada is poised to feel the immediate effects of these tariffs. More than 75 per cent of Canadian exports are currently destined for American markets, and any disruption could cascade through local economies. “The Canada-US relationship is one of the largest trade relationships in the world, with integrated supply chains, and supporting millions of jobs on both sides of the border,” added Windsor Mayor Dilkens.
Through the Border Mayors Alliance, mayors representing communities from coast to coast hope to protect their economic and development interests. The Alliance has already begun identifying alternative supply chains to mitigate immediate disruptions, and mayors are working together to develop contingency strategies that would put Canada first.
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