‘China is the one winning’: Governors admit Canada is ditching America for new partnerships thanks to Trump’s trade chaos

In a significant meeting at the Massachusetts State House, five Canadian premiers and five Northeastern governors convened to discuss the mounting tensions and economic impacts of President Trump‘s ongoing trade war with Canada, reflecting broader concerns that world leaders have expressed about Trump’s diplomatic approach. The gathering, marked by both nations’ flags, focused on addressing tariff barriers and tourist boycotts affecting the region.

The meeting, initiated by Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey and Maine Governor Janet Mills, revealed concerning statistics about declining tourism. According to Healey, tourism numbers have dropped between 20 and 60 percent across all participating states, presenting a significant challenge for the region’s seasonal hospitality sector.

According to Politico, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey expressed concern about Canada’s shifting international partnerships, stating, “China is the one winning in all this.” She noted that Canadian partners are now exploring relationships with other countries that would never have been considered before Trump’s trade actions.

Tourism takes major hit as Canadians avoid US travel

New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt took a firm stance, stating she cannot currently recommend US travel to Canadians. Instead, she’s encouraging her constituents to explore other Canadian provinces, specifically mentioning Nova Scotia as an alternative destination. Holt emphasized that American economic pain might be necessary to demonstrate the impact of current trade policies.

The governors and premiers discussed various topics, from hydropower and natural gas dependencies to broader economic cooperation. Vermont Governor Phil Scott, the lone Republican present, emphasized the mutual dependency between the two nations, stating, “We need each other to survive in the future.”

New York Governor Kathy Hochul suggested a potential solution, proposing that states and provinces might need to establish independent relationships beyond federal oversight. She emphasized the importance of securing their energy future regardless of Washington’s decisions.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford warned that tariffs on Canada essentially function as a tax on Americans, while Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston expressed frustration over suggestions of Canada becoming the 51st state. The meeting concluded with leaders from both nations hoping for progress toward a trade agreement at the G7 summit, though given Trump’s tendency to take credit for diplomatic achievements he wasn’t directly involved in, any progress may be overstated, though concrete solutions to the current challenges remained elusive.