Governor Healey, Northeast Governors Invite Canadian Premiers to Convene in Boston on Trade and Tariffs

 Governor Healey, Northeast Governors Invite Canadian Premiers to Convene in Boston on Trade and Tariffs  

Invitation acknowledges ‘cherished relationship’ between leaders founded on mutual financial advantages and centuries-old familial and cultural bonds  
 

BOSTON – Six northeastern Governors, led by Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey, formally invitedCanadian Premiers to a convening in Boston to discuss the impacts of President Trump’s tariffs and how American and Canadian leaders can continue to work together to maintain strong trade relations that benefit local businesses and residents.  

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey, Maine Governor Janet Mills, New York Governor Kathy Hochul, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont, Rhode Island Governor Daniel McKee and Vermont Governor Phil Scott extended the invitation to the Premiers of six Canadian provinces: New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island and Québec. 

“Canada is Massachusetts’ number one trading partner. For generations, we have enjoyed a strong partnership and a healthy exchange of energy, lumber, dairy, cars and car parts, seafood and more. Our businesses and our residents all benefit from this relationship,” said Governor Healey. “But President Trump’s tariffs are undermining this partnership, making it harder for businesses to keep their doors open, and increasing the cost of everything that the New England and Canadian people rely on. That’s why I’m proud to be joining my colleagues from across the northeast in inviting Canadian Premiers to convene in Boston, so that we can discuss how to continue our partnership, lower costs for people, and support local businesses.” 

“Canada is Maine’s single largest trading partner, with more than $6 billion in cross-border commerce occurring last year alone. Our economies and our cultures have enjoyed strong relationships for generations, which is now strained by the president’s haphazard tariffs and harmful rhetoric targeting our northern neighbors,” said Maine Governor Janet Mills. “I look forward to meeting with my Eastern Province counterparts to tell them that Maine deeply values our Canadian partnerships, and that we will work to ensure our historic friendship and deeply intertwined economies endure for generations to come.” 

“President Trump’s tariffs are the largest tax hike in American history — and they’re devastating to the small businesses, family farms, and local manufacturers,” said New York Governor Kathy Hochul. “New York and Canada have a $50 billion trade relationship, and Trump’s tariffs are hurting our businesses hard. It’s more important than ever that governors work together to protect their states from these costs, which is why I’m working with Governor Healey and our colleagues across the nation on a path forward that helps our economy.” 

“Thousands of businesses in the northeast have strong connections with business partners in Canada and depend on these partnerships to grow their companies and support their employees,” said Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont. “Connecticut’s largest trading partner is Canada, making our relationship a critical one for countless small and large businesses. Raising tariffs between the U.S. and Canada will undermine these businesses, increase costs, and put American jobs at stake.” 

“As states face growing challenges brought on by tariffs, it’s critical that we come together to protect the jobs and industries that depend on strong, stable U.S.-Canada partnerships,” said Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee. “I look forward to Governor Healey’s convening of New England governors and Canadian premiers so we can continue to build on the long-standing relationships we rely on to prevent cost increases for residents and keep our regional economy growing and competitive.”  

“As I have said in the past, I don’t believe increasing tariffs on our friends and close allies is in the best interest of Vermont or the United States. A trade war with our friends to the north, our largest trading partner, seems like a bad idea,” said Vermont Governor Phil Scott. “I’m looking forward to meeting with fellow Northeast Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers to find ways to mitigate both cost increases for families and businesses, and just as importantly, to preserve our long-standing relationship.” 

For months, Governor Healey has been sounding the alarm about the negative impacts of President Trump’s tariffs. Her administration released an analysis showing that his tariffs on Canadian energy would raise gas and heating oil prices by over $0.20 a gallon and could cost nearly $1 billion a year for Massachusetts consumers and $2.5 billion for the New England region. Earlier this month, she convened Massachusetts business leaders to discuss the impacts of the tariffs and then launch a new initiative to support impacted businesses, especially manufacturers. 

Governor Healey has worked closely with Eastern Canadian Premiers since taking office. Last year, she hosted the annual New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers (NEG-ECP) Conference in Massachusetts to discuss coordinated efforts on shared economic, energy and environmental priorities. 

Details of the convening between Northeast Governors and Canadian Premiers will be forthcoming.