Canada has now implemented tariffs on many U-S goods, in response to President Trump's latest round of tariffs after trade talks broke down late last month.
Brampton, Ontario Mayor Patrick Brown telling WCCO's Adam and Jordana it's been tough on the traditionally warm relationship between Canadians and Minnesotans.
"We're hurt right now because we do consider America to be our closest ally and, and, and friend, and some of the name-calling and tactics are just not what you expect from, a close ally, historic ally and friend." Brown says, " And our families are connected, our companies are connected."
Brown says he thinks the tariff situation is just a bump in the road.
" You know, frankly, a lot of Canadians are, are still snowbirds. They'll go down to the US in the, in the winter." Brown says, " It's, it's a relationship that is enduring. One president is not going to ruin that relationship and that friendship."
The number of visitors coming to Minnesota from Canada is down about 20 percent due to political tensions and the economy according to Explore Minnesota Tourism.
Minnesota sits squarely in the crossfire of the escalating U.S. Canada trade war, a high-stakes standoff sparked by sweeping American tariffs and swiftly answered by retaliatory measures north of the border.
Canada absorbs roughly $5.5 billion to $5.6 billion in Minnesota goods every year.
Roughly twenty-five percent of everything Minnesota exports heads directly to Canadian buyers. Iron ore, refined petroleum, and specialized industrial machinery form the backbone of this northern corridor.
When the U.S. slapped 50 percent tariffs on $20 billion worth of Canadian imports, Ottawa retaliated with targeted counter-tariffs ranging from 15 to 50 percent on billions of dollars in American goods.
It's also a blow Minnesota’s agricultural backbone.
Farmers and rural producers are already wrestling with squeezed margins and volatile market conditions.
The introduction of tarrifs on steel, aluminum, and farm equipment components will likely drive up the cost of daily operations, maintenance, and heavy machinery repairs.
