The close relationship between Americans and Canadians has long been the envy of other countries. We share the longest undefended border in the world and have enjoyed the fruits of a partnership benefiting both countries for over 150 years.
Ours is a bond forged in battle. We stormed the beaches at Normandy together on D-Day, fighting to liberate Europe from fascism. For generations, our soldiers have died, cried and celebrated victory beside each other.
Together, we have looked to the stars and seen U.S. space shuttle missions supported by the Canadarm robotic arms, used on the space shuttle and International Space Station — a powerful symbol of our longstanding collaboration on science and technology.
In your darkest moments, Canadians have been by your side.
After the attack on Pearl Harbor, we worked together to build the Alaska Highway, which was critical to connecting the mainland United States to northern military outposts during the war. On the day of the Sept. 11 atrocities, Canadians welcomed stranded Americans into their homes. And in the months that followed, we joined the fight against terrorism in Afghanistan.
Canadians know that no matter what some politicians say, our American neighbors will be there for us in our time of need, too. Because we’re not just good friends. In many cases, we’re family.
President Donald Trump’s ongoing threat of tariffs against Canada can only be described as an exercise in mutually assured destruction.
We’ve seen this movie before.
In 1930, the U.S. Congress passed a punishing tariff law. Loyal trading partners, including Canada, retaliated. American imports and exports dropped two-thirds. When the law first passed, unemployment in the U.S. was at 8%. Two years later, three times as many Americans were out of work, turning a depression into the Great Depression.
A trade war today would be just as devastating for families on both sides of our border. Canada has what the United States needs if you want to achieve the president’s stated goal of a new golden age.
One example of many is the Teck smelter in Trail, in southern British Columbia, which provides critical minerals required for night vision goggles and electronic devices. China has restricted access to those minerals and is no longer exporting them to the United States. If you don’t get it from Teck’s operations in British Columbia and you don’t get it from China, you don’t get it.
Americans also rely on low prices our trading relationship makes possible.
Tariffs on top of softwood lumber duties increase the cost of wood for your homes. A tax on our food exports only means more expensive groceries at the checkout for working families in your country. Energy and electricity bills will rise at a time when people can least afford them.
Millions of jobs and billions of dollars in investment are needlessly being put at risk.
Canada is a proud and independent country. We’re proud of how we take care of each other and our neighbors. Our B.C. firefighters were there for the people of Los Angeles as wildfires threatened entire communities.
There is much we admire about our southern neighbor. While Canadians are not interested in becoming the 51st state, we do want to get back to working together on areas of shared concern.
Too many people in both our countries have lost loved ones to the fentanyl crisis. Just like Americans, our hearts are filled with rage at the predators who move the precursor chemicals from China into our countries. So, let’s bring our top law enforcement officials together and go after transnational criminal organizations.
History tells us that in a world of uncertainty and instability, Canada and the United States are stronger together.
There are huge opportunities ahead for shared economic growth for our countries. Instead of waging a trade war no one will win, we should be collaborating to unlock the potential of our continent — to create jobs with bigger paychecks and the wealth needed to make everyone better off.
We can prosper side by side if we respect our differences and work together in a spirit of mutual trust and cooperation. The way we Americans and Canadians always have.