The City of Abbotsford is still deciding whether or not to join the Border Mayors Alliance group.
The group, which was launched by Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens, aims to protect local economies and advocate for the interests of communities along the Canada-U.S. border. The decision to create the alliance was made shortly after United States President Donald Trump’s initial proposed 25 per cent tariff on all Canadian imports in January.
The Border Mayors Alliance group held a press conference to highlight the urgent need for federal support for border communities and businesses disproportionately impacted by tariff threats and reduced cross-border travel on Friday (March 21). Osoyoos mayor Sue McKortoff and a representative from the Osoyoos Duty Free store were the B.C. voices at that press conference.
The News initially asked the City of Abbotsford about joining the group in late-January, but the City stated at that time that the decision was still being considered. City officials told The News this week that they are continuing to ponder about joining the group.
"As the objective and activities of the new Alliance solidify, the City will continue to review how our participation in this new Alliance may best serve the interests of our local businesses and our community overall," stated Aletta Vanderheyden, the city's communications and public relations manager. "With a federal election on the horizon, as well an evolving landscape of tariffs and trade considerations, the City of Abbotsford will continue to ensure we strongly advocate for the interests of our community."
B.C. cities Delta, Creston, Nelson, Osoyoos. Rossland and Surrey have all joined the alliance. Abbotsford has one land border crossing (Sumas) and there is also a land border crossing in nearby Aldergrove (Lynden).
Trump originally stated on Jan. 20 that 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian imports would be imposed on Feb. 1. By the time Feb. 1 rolled around he announced that the tariffs would be pushed back to Feb. 4, with a lower 10 per cent levy on Canadian energy imports. Then on Feb. 3 he announced a suspension of the tariffs for 30 days until March 4. He added that Canada (and Mexico) must reduce fentanyl and migrant crossings into the U.S. or tariffs will continue.
Later in February he announced a 25 per cent tariff on all steel and aluminum tariffs to begin on March 12. He also stated that reciprocal tariffs would be launched to match those placed on American exports – including cars, pharmaceuticals and more. The tariffs went into effect on March 4, with Canada's retaliatory tariffs on $30 billion worth of U.S. goods kicking in immediately, and provinces and territories bringing back their own retaliatory measures first announced in February.
The next day Trump exempted the big three automakers – Ford, Stellantis and General Motors from his tariffs until April 2. He then indicated that tariffs may go up following April 2 and added that steel and aluminum tariffs could go up to 50 per cent.
It's unclear what the next few months will bring, but the alliance has stated that border community businesses on both sides of the border have been harmed by these decisions.
