Redekop: U.S. tariffs should serve as a ‘wake-up call to all Canadians’

The ripple effects of tariffs being imposed by U.S. president Donald Trump will go beyond just border cities and will impact both the Canadian and American economies.

This is the position shared by the Town of Fort Erie in a news release issued by the municipality on Tuesday, after Trump imposed 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian and Mexican products and a 10 per tax on Canadian energy.

Canada launched retaliatory tariffs shortly afterward, with Mexico promising to do the same.

The town said tariffs on Canada will have far-reaching consequences for businesses, workers, and communities on both sides of the border.

Mayor Wayne Redekop and council, as well as senior staff at the local government, and local businesses, remain committed to working with Canadian and U.S. partners to “alleviate the negative effects of these trade restrictions,” says the news release.

The town will continue advocating for fair trade policies and economic solutions that sustain local businesses and protect jobs, and remain focused on “resilience, innovation, and long-term economic stability through cooperation and proactive strategies,” says the release.

Redekop is actively engaged with the Border Mayors Alliance, a coalition of municipal leaders advocating for policies that protect and strengthen the economies of cross-border communities.

Other heads of council in Niagara participating in this group’s efforts are Niagara-on-the-Lake Lord Mayor Gary Zalepa and Niagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodati, Fort Erie Radio has learned.

The Alliance emphasizes the critical importance of seamless trade, economic cooperation, and shared prosperity between Canada and the United States and has called upon industry leaders, the Canadian government, provincial governments, and American officials to join them in this crucial moment for unity and collective advocacy.

As a result of the tariffs, thousands of border city jobs are at risk, significantly impacting small businesses, says the town.

The Canada-U.S. relationship is among the world’s largest, with an integrated supply chain supporting millions of jobs on both sides of the border, and the importance of public and private sectors working together in unison is paramount, the town states in its release.

“This should serve as a wake-up call to all Canadians,” said Redekop.

“We must take decisive action to strengthen our own economic future by eliminating internal trade barriers, promoting the development of industries that process our own minerals and raw resources, diversifying our markets, and reinforcing partnerships with historic allies across the border,” he continued.

Also on Tuesday, a joint statement from Niagara Region chair Jim Bradley and Niagara’s 12 mayors was issued, saying the tariffs are a threat to “one of the closest, longest-standing and most productive trade relationships in history.”

The statement says it is “unfortunate” things have come to this point, but that the mayors and Bradley are commending the provincial and federal governments, who over the last two months “have made every effort to avoid a trade war with our closest trading partner.”

It is still “too early to fully assess the effect these tariffs will have,” the statement says.

“However, here in Niagara, our traditionally close ties with our American neighbours, our strong tourism and manufacturing industries, and our identity as a border community all mean that we will feel the effects of these taxes in a unique way,” the statement continues.

Regional and municipal councils remain “united in supporting and advocating for our local businesses and workers.”

Stay Informed

Events, offers, contests, and breaking news, all delivered straight to your inbox.

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Subscribe