Boston Hosts Governors and Canadian Leaders to Discuss Tariff Impacts

BOSTON – Leaders from six northeastern U.S. states convened in Boston on Monday for a critical meeting aimed at addressing the economic repercussions of tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump on trade with Canada. Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey led the meeting, which included governors from Maine, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Vermont, as well as the premiers of six Canadian provinces.

The attending governors included Janet Mills of Maine, Kathy Hochul of New York, Ned Lamont of Connecticut, Dan McKee of Rhode Island, and Phil Scott of Vermont. The meeting also saw participation from the premiers of New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, and Québec.

Governor Healey’s office indicated that the central focus of the meeting was to maintain robust trade relationships that benefit both local businesses and residents in the Northeastern states and their Canadian counterparts. Healey pointed out that Canada is Massachusetts’ largest trading partner, with significant imports such as energy, lumber, dairy products, vehicles, and seafood contributing to the state’s economy.

According to estimates provided by Governor Healey, the tariffs attributed to the Trump administration could financially burden consumers in Massachusetts by nearly $1 billion, with an anticipated total impact across New England reaching approximately $2.5 billion. This alarming projection underscores the need for urgent discussions among affected leaders.

In 2024, Maine reported over $6 billion in commerce with Canada, illustrating the vital economic link between the two regions. Governor Mills emphasized the importance of understanding these ties during discussions. Concerns were also raised by Governor Phil Scott of Vermont, who remarked that increasing tariffs on allied countries is counterproductive for both Vermont’s economy and the broader U.S. market.

During the meeting, the governors collectively underscored the need for ongoing dialogue and collaboration to alleviate the financial hardships caused by the tariffs. They expressed a commitment to preserving cross-border travel, boosting tourism, and ensuring mutual benefits in commerce between the U.S. and Canada.

This assembly of governors includes a bipartisan mix of leadership, with Phil Scott being the sole Republican among the group of Democratic governors. Notably, New Hampshire Governor Kelly Ayotte was invited to partake in the meeting but declined to join the discussion or sign the accompanying letter addressing the tariff concerns.

President Trump has previously indicated plans to impose a significant 25 percent tariff on most Canadian goods; however, implementation was postponed in March due to ongoing trade negotiations. Despite the delay, the discussion around tariffs remains a key source of tension in U.S.-Canada relations, with potential ramifications for tourism and business operations between the two nations.

Governor Hochul from New York described the tariffs as potentially the “largest tax hike in American history,” asserting that they are harmful to businesses and farms reliant on cross-border trade. As the economic situation evolves, the northeastern governors and their Canadian counterparts are positioning themselves to mitigate the impacts of tariff policies while exploring ways to strengthen their economic partnership.