N.B. mayor goes to Washington, hears U.S. counterparts share tariff concerns

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The mayor of the Greater Bay West Flying to Washington Thursday to meet with municipal leaders in the United States and Mexico to talk about the mutual negative effects of the U.S. trade war.

Brittany Merrifield said: “There is really a feeling of unity in the room.

Merrifield, who had no idea what to expect, said she was a little worried before attending the so-called neighbor meeting.

“I know some mayors will be Republicans, so I don’t know what kind of news they will bring,” she said.

Merrifield sits next to Daniel Rickenmann
Merrifield talked with Columbia, South Carolina Mayor Daniel Rickenmann about the negative effects of the tariff threat. (Canadian Federation)

What happened was a two-day frank narrative by grassroots politicians who said their voters were already suffering from the tariffs and trade uncertainty brought by the Trump administration.

Merrifield thinks this is amazing because she thinks the U.S. mayor is risking political revenge.

“In fact, they were very brave there,” Merrifield said. “I have a lot of respect for the mayors under all these conditions and they think they think it’s right to be the person they serve.”

Vancouver City Councilman and President of the City Federation of Canada Rebecca Bligh, including eight representatives from Mexico, and Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow and Rebecca Bligh introduced the United Front at a press conference Friday. It opens with speeches by Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther and President of the U.S. Mayoral Council Andrew Ginther.

Brittany Merrifield, wearing a white blazer, posing with Dan Murphy, wearing a blue suit and a red tie.
Merrifield attended the summit with Dan Murphy, executive director of the New Brunswick Municipal Authority Federation. (Canadian Federation)

“This story is the same for all of us,” said Jinser. During the housing supply crisis, tariffs are expected to increase US$21,000 in the median U.S. homes.

“We are all mayors and we are the closest we represent,” he said. “We understand politics and partisanship are going on… Washington, but we just care about the best suited people, workers, our companies, consumers in our cities, and we will hear us.”

Columbia, South Carolina Mayor Daniel Rickenmann said tariffs could have a $3 billion impact on trade in his state.

He said about one in five jobs in South Carolina are connected to the automotive, aerospace and textile sectors, which are largely dependent on international trade.

“It’s rich in 10,000 jobs in our community,” Rikenman said.

He said Sonoco, a South Carolina-based metal packaging maker, has felt the impact of the Trump executive order imposing a 25% tariff on Canadian steel and aluminum.

He said some provinces’ decision to pull American alcohol out of the shelves has also hit employees at Kentucky breweries.

“This has led to significant layoffs,” he said.

Looking forward to more tariffs

The mayor’s speech expects more tariffs.

Later Wednesday, Trump said he had signed an executive order that would impose a 25% import tariff on unmade U.S. vehicles, although the full meaning of the tariff has not been clarified immediately, saying the tax will be launched on April 2.

“I know President Trump cares about Michigan,” said Bryan Barnett, Mayor of Rochester Hill, Michigan.

“I need to make these decisions important to the automotive industry and the countries that support him and the countries that are.”

Lansing, Michigan Mayor Andy Schor, home to two General Motors assembly plants, said tariffs would hurt the working class.

“We make an average of $48,000 a year,” Schor said. “If the car goes up anywhere near $10,000, you will have people who can’t afford it.”

Schor also pointed out that the mayors on both sides of the political gap are united.

“To meet the mayor, Bryan Barnett of Michigan, lean Republicans and Andy Schor of Michigan lean Democrats… We all get together with our new friends, and I think that’s something people are going to stand up and notice.”

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