Local mayors and business leaders react to Trump tariff threats

There is an overreaching feeling of anxiety, apprehension and frustration among both business and political leaders as they wait to see how U.S. President Donald Trump’s 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum will shake out.

There are serious worries about the impacts to the auto and manufacturing industries, which most certainly will lead to layoffs if the tariff issue isn’t resolved.

President and CEO, Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce, Ian MacClean was a guest on The Mike Farwell Show and said these threats have fundamentally shaken the Canada-U.S. trade relationship to the point that it may never be the same.

“What this tells me, and I honestly believe this, the United States is not to be trusted in the same way. We have a free trade agreement that the president is just ignoring right now and that’s a problem, because if you can’t trust your trading partners then you better look for new ones.”

Kitchener Mayor, Berry Vrbanovic said he is perplexed by Trump’s approach because the trade deals are mutually beneficial.

“When we work together, when we trade together we actually come up with better outcomes for everyone,” he said.

Waterloo Mayor, Dorothy McCabe, told 570 NewsRadio said the city it is looking into how best to support local businesses and workers.

“We need to work with the Ontario government. We need to work with the federal government. And, we need to work with our local business community to support the Team Canada approach and really take a look at any of our procurement processes and policies in place where we might have more flexibility.”

“The City of Cambridge’s Economic Development team is actively working on assisting our business community while navigating the potential tariff situation,” said Cambridge Mayor, Jan Liggett in a written statement to 570 NewsRadio. “I encourage our industry partners to connect with our Economic Development professionals, who can provide a series of resources and information which can help guide businesses through these uncertain times, as we value our business community, and will continue to do everything in our power to support them.”

While there are plenty of ideas on how to fight back against the incoming tariffs, MacClean said people across the country feel betrayed.

“People are angry and perplexed. I am too, to be honest with you. Donald Trump’s trying to disrupt, and that’s what he was elected to do, but he’s doing it in a way that has no consideration for trade agreements, for the law, for workers or communities be it here or in the United States.”

McCabe was optimistic in her outlook but didn’t mince words when saying Canada will not back down.

“I believe we will be successful again in stepping up, standing up for our country and for our local residents and our local businesses in telling, in this case a bully, that we’re mad as hell and we’re not going to take it.”