As Trump’s Tariff War With Canada Drags On, This Border Community Suffers Without a Voice
The post As Trump’s Tariff War With Canada Drags On, This Border Community Suffers Without a Voice appeared first on ProPublica .
Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan and Ontario share a bridge and twin-city status, but recent tensions between the U.S. and Canada are impacting their economic ties. The International Bridge Walk, an annual celebration of the cities' unity, has seen a decrease in participation due to reduced bridge traffic. President Donald Trump's threat of new tariffs on Canadian products, in response to smoke from wildfires, has led to a 50% tariff on various goods and an additional 10% tariff using a separate mechanism.
The new publicly owned bridge between Detroit and Windsor, Ontario, opened without President Trump's presence. Sault Ste. Marie's congressman, Jack Bergman, has been quiet on the tariffs despite his pro-Trump endorsement. Canadian travelers are boycotting the U.S., leading to a loss of $82.9 million in local spending for the Upper Peninsula last year.
Auto traffic remains low, while commercial traffic has dropped further. The bridge, crucial for commerce, faces revenue concerns as border challenges adversely affect trade and tourism.
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