Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - With tariffs set to be implemented on neighboring Canada by the White House starting Saturday, one local lawmaker in Washington is standing with local business leaders and others in the region who are against this action.
Congressman Tim Kennedy (D, NY-26) spoke Friday while at Rigidized Metals Corp. on Ohio Street in Buffalo to warn against the dire consequences of implementing a 25% tariff on Canadian imports to the United States. This proposal on goods imported from Canada threatens to set off a disastrous chain of events that Kennedy fears will lead to a trade war with the nation's greatest trade partner and ally.
The Trump administration is set to enforce the tariff on Canada starting Saturday, Feb. 1.
"The clock is ticking, and time's running out," said Rep. Kennedy on Friday. "The President United States is going to unilaterally put in place a 25% tariff tomorrow. We're hopeful that by standing up and letting him know that it will be detrimental to not just our community here in Western New York, but our entire country - it's going to drive up the cost of goods and services for all Americans, it's going to increase inflation, and it's going to hurt people in their pocketbooks - that he will rescind that order.
"These tariffs will send our resurging economy and region in the wrong direction, and we cannot allow it to happen. So with a unified voice, we're standing up and asking for these tariffs not to be put in place. They will hurt our region, they will hurt our state, and they will hurt the pocketbooks of hard-working Americans all across this nation."
In response to this proposal, Kennedy has joined his colleagues in introducing H.R. 407, the Prevent Tariff Abuse Act, which would require Congressional approval of new tariffs, ensuring that Congress remains an equal partner in setting economic policy.
According to the Canadian government, trade with Canada supports more than 27,000 jobs in Kennedy’s Congressional District, which sees $608 million in goods purchased by Canada every year.
A number of businesses locally are expected to feel the effects of the tariff implemented on Canada, including those in steel fabrication, craft brewing, logistics, construction and more.
Kennedy says the tariffs placed on Canada will especially impact the communities in the U.S. who share the closest border to the neighbors to the North.
"Due to our direct proximity to Canada, our economy is tightly intertwined with our neighbors, and our greatest ally across the Niagara River. In short order, hard-working families in border communities like ours will begin to feel the effects," Kennedy said. "Economists predict, inflation, job losses and a decline in spending from Canadians, as we stand to threaten their region's dollar and economy. And that's not factoring in the retaliatory measures from Canada, which will expose our communities to skyrocketing energy prices and a shrinking economy."
The border between the United States and Canada includes more than 100 international crossings and stretches over 5,000 miles, representing the largest international land border in the world.
According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 4 million personal vehicles crossed from Canada into the United States in 2023 through Western New York along with approximately 890,000 trucks. According to the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission and the Public Bridge Authority, more than 940,000 trucks crossed from the United States into Canada in the same period.
"This is a symbiotic relationship, everyone benefits. Canada, our closest friend and ally, our partner, our economic fate is intertwined with them and theirs with ours," Kennedy added. "To protect our communities, families and alliances of our nation. We must halt these tariffs from taking effect, and prevent economic catastrophe."