The Big Story

How border communities are dealing with tariff limbo

Feb 5, 2025

Drew Dilkens, the Mayor of Windsor, Ontario, and Chair of the Border Mayors Alliance, discusses the pressing challenges faced by border communities in light of recent tariff uncertainties. He highlights the vital economic and cultural ties between Windsor and Detroit, showcasing their interconnected lifestyles. Dilkens elaborates on the formation of the Border Mayors Alliance to address these trade tensions and stresses the need for collaboration to ensure stability for local businesses and jobs that rely on this crucial cross-border relationship.

19:32

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Drew Dilkens

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Quick takeaways

Border communities face immediate economic challenges due to tariff uncertainties, severely impacting jobs and local economies reliant on cross-border trade.

Local leaders emphasize the need for cooperation and clear communication between Canada and the U.S. to maintain their historically strong economic relationship.

Deep dives

Impact of Tariffs on Border Communities

The potential impact of U.S. tariffs on Canada is particularly concerning for border communities that rely on integrated economies. With cities like Windsor having close ties to Detroit, a 25% tariff would disrupt the established supply chains that intertwine the auto industries of both nations. Vehicles produced in these areas often cross the border multiple times during the manufacturing process, making the regions highly sensitive to any trade barriers. Local leaders highlight that the pain of tariffs would be felt immediately, affecting jobs and local economies in both Canada and the U.S.

Intro

2min

Navigating Tariff Uncertainty in Border Communities

3min

Life in a Border Town: The Windsor-Detroit Connection

2min

Navigating Uncertainty: Business Strategies Amid Tariff Concerns

2min

Navigating U.S.-Canada Trade Tensions

11min

After a wild few days, the U.S. tariffs are on pause. Canada has avoided the measures, for now, but the threat still hangs over the country.

The uncertainty has residents in Canada’s border cities on edge. In communities where thousands of people cross the Canada-US border to go to work each day, a trade war could mean economic devastation.

In response to the crisis, mayors of border communities from coast to coast have come together to form the Border Mayors Alliance.

Host David Smith speaks with Windsor, Ontario Mayor Drew Dilkens, Chair of the Border Mayors Alliance, about how the situation is already impacting people who live along the 49th parallel.

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