Canadians Say Tariffs Cause ‘Chaos and Confusion’ on Both Sides of the Border

Fort Erie Residents React to the Trade Tensions Between the US and Canada

Fort Erie, Ontario (WBEN) - Tensions between the United States and Canada have reached unprecedented levels since President Trump took office. The President's tariff threats have sparked significant anger and frustration among Canadians.

“It just makes me sad,” a resident of Fort Erie, Ontario, told WBEN. “I think it's created such animosity, it's created chaos. It's made everyone in Canada very uncertain because of other comments that the President has made, and we've had such a wonderful relationship for so many years.”

Residents of Fort Erie, Ontario, say that the tariffs not only harm the Canadian economy but will also negatively impact the American economy. Western New York's border crossings are down 13% this year, and sales tax revenue is also down, according to Erie County Executive, Mark Poloncarz. Part of that could be due to a 'buy Canadian' movement impacting trips into Buffalo from places like Fort Erie.

“You would expect that there is going to be some retaliation, some reciprocation,” another Ontario resident said. “You’ve got to put pressure on a government that’s creating tariffs on this country.”

While former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau encourages Canadians to boycott American travel, many Fort Erie residents we spoke to, like Anthony, say they still plan on making the trip down south.

“I definitely want to go across the border because I want to see my sister."