Northeast governors invite Canadian premiers to meet on tariffs and trade

Northeast governors invite Canadian premiers to meet on tariffs and trade

• May 5, 2025

Maine Gov. Janet Mills and five other Northeastern governors have invited the premiers of six Canadian provinces to a summit to discuss President Donald Trump's tariffs and preserving strong trade relationships.

Mills joined Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont, Rhode Island Gov. Daniel McKee and Vermont Gov. Phil Scott in inviting the premiers of New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island and Québec to meet in Boston in the near future.

"Maine's economic and commercial relationship with Canada is far deeper than with other international markets," said Wade Merritt, president of Maine International Trade Center. "It's best described as 'making things together' with a high degree of integration in natural resource-based industries like potatoes, blueberries, lobster and forest products. In addition, many manufacturing businesses across Maine rely on Canadian steel and aluminum to keep their factories running and workers on the job. Although previously announced tariffs are paused, significant uncertainty remains due to increased costs and the threat of retaliation."

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