Trump’s Trade Battle Strikes ‘the Front Line of Canada’
WINDSOR, Ontario — Navigating Canada’s border has become increasingly complex during these tumultuous times. When President Donald Trump threatens to dismantle Canada’s auto industry, he directly impacts residents of Windsor, just across the...
TroibNews 
WINDSOR, Ontario — Navigating Canada’s border has become increasingly complex during these tumultuous times.
When President Donald Trump threatens to dismantle Canada’s auto industry, he directly impacts residents of Windsor, just across the river from Detroit. While Windsorites are unsettled by his remarks, they don’t view their Detroit neighbors as enemies.
As they prepare for a snap federal election on April 28, Canadians living in border towns are reflecting on their intricate relationship with the U.S. The ongoing trade war has made Trump a central issue in the election.
Living in proximity to such a significant border crossing, Windsor residents possess a keen sense of what’s at stake.
“If you said to them, the Ambassador Bridge is closed and protesters are blocking it, 100 percent of the people in Windsor would say, ‘Uh oh,’” said Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens. “They know right away that's a deeply troubling issue.”
This is not a mere speculation; in 2022, a six-day blockade of the bridge linking Windsor to Detroit caused severe trade delays, highlighting the personal stakes involved for residents.
Brian Masse, a veteran New Democratic Party lawmaker campaigning in Windsor West for the ninth time, articulates the issue plainly: "We are expecting to be the front line of Canada in this fight."
Dilkens, who has strong ties to the U.S. — with an MBA from Michigan and children born in Detroit — acknowledged that Windsor residents seek a federal government capable of “having their back” against Trump’s threats. He believes that regardless of any potential easing of tensions between Ottawa and Washington, his constituents will continue to grapple with pre-Trump challenges: high living costs, fentanyl-related issues in downtown areas, and immigration pressures on housing and social services.
Both Dilkens and Masse recognize allies on the American side of the border. Recently, the mayor visited Bryan Barnett, the Republican mayor of Rochester Hills, Michigan, where they honored him by raising a Canadian flag. Masse also mentioned Rep. Rashida Tlaib, a progressive Democrat from Detroit, as an ally.
While both Barnett and Tlaib have offered assistance to Canada, some remain hesitant to express support out of fear of repercussions from the White House. "Not everyone is even quietly an ally, because they're just afraid to say something," says Dilkens.
Earlier this month, Canadian mayors and Indigenous leaders from the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River region advocated against tariffs in Washington. The Federation of Canadian Municipalities engaged with U.S. officials back in February.
Windsor is not alone in facing these challenges.
Cam Bissonnette, the owner of a duty-free shop in Osoyoos, British Columbia, expressed his emotional struggle during a recent press conference as he sought federal assistance for businesses that rely on cross-border traffic.
“Right now, it really feels like we are hostages in economic warfare,” Bissonnette said, referencing a drop in customers crossing the border and recalling a day when his only transaction was a refund.
"We know that aluminum, lumber, the automotive industry — they employ hundreds of thousands of people in this country," he added. "They can sell their products elsewhere in the world. We can't."
Barbara Barrett, executive director of the Frontier Duty Free Association, urged Ottawa to provide "targeted financial support and a plan that recognizes unique vulnerabilities of border-dependent communities — and the businesses that keep them alive."
Border towns play a crucial role in extensive supply chains, and their connections are more personal than just economic.
Niagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodati shared that his family is divided between both sides of the border, with his best friend residing in western New York.
In Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Mayor Matt Shoemaker noted the contrast with the similarly named town across the St. Marys River, highlighting that many Michiganders cross over to Canada for basic amenities like public swimming pools.
However, Canadian residents are becoming more hesitant to visit Detroit.
Mayor Allan MacEachern of St. Stephen, New Brunswick, which borders Calais, Maine, voiced his residents' frustrations. “They’re upset. It’s a punch in the gut, so to speak, from our neighbors. I’ll say neighbor,” he remarked, referring to Trump. “That’s the problem. Our neighbors are taking the heat for it.”
For instance, in February, the number of travelers crossing the land border into the U.S. dropped by around 500,000.
In Windsor, Dilkens attributes some reluctance to visit to the unfavorable exchange rate, as the loonie struggles against the U.S. dollar. “The high U.S. dollar makes me second guess going over there and spending any money, because it’s just not worth it,” he noted.
Dilkens chairs the newly formed Border Mayors Alliance, a group of over three dozen mayors that emerged during the pandemic when the border was closed.
Their primary mission is to cultivate municipal alliances across the border that can sway U.S. lawmakers, a grassroots movement that feeds into Canada’s provincial and federal initiatives.
They keep Canada’s embassy and consulates informed about their interactions, building a database of American contacts who might advocate on Canada’s behalf.
Dilkens aims to maximize public speaking opportunities in the Detroit area, asserting that the embassy is conducting “very targeted research so that mayors are empowered with all the right information” when discussing issues with their American counterparts.
Reflecting on past sentiments, Diodati recalled purchasing Trump’s “The Art of the Deal” in 1987 when he was a budding entrepreneur: “I was a young entrepreneur. I was intrigued by Donald Trump, and I liked his personality and the way he negotiated deals.”
In a conversation with PMG in February, Diodati suggested that Trump’s annexation remarks were likely intended as a negotiation tactic. “I get his MO. It didn’t offend me, but I can see how a lot of people are hurt by it, because they think we’re too close for someone to take a shot like that.”
Dilkens mentioned that Canadians are bracing for the next potential challenge, with new U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods set to take effect soon. “April 2 will be a telling day,” he stated.
Camille Lefevre for TROIB News
When President Donald Trump threatens to dismantle Canada’s auto industry, he directly impacts residents of Windsor, just across the river from Detroit. While Windsorites are unsettled by his remarks, they don’t view their Detroit neighbors as enemies.
As they prepare for a snap federal election on April 28, Canadians living in border towns are reflecting on their intricate relationship with the U.S. The ongoing trade war has made Trump a central issue in the election.
Living in proximity to such a significant border crossing, Windsor residents possess a keen sense of what’s at stake.
“If you said to them, the Ambassador Bridge is closed and protesters are blocking it, 100 percent of the people in Windsor would say, ‘Uh oh,’” said Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens. “They know right away that's a deeply troubling issue.”
This is not a mere speculation; in 2022, a six-day blockade of the bridge linking Windsor to Detroit caused severe trade delays, highlighting the personal stakes involved for residents.
Brian Masse, a veteran New Democratic Party lawmaker campaigning in Windsor West for the ninth time, articulates the issue plainly: "We are expecting to be the front line of Canada in this fight."
Dilkens, who has strong ties to the U.S. — with an MBA from Michigan and children born in Detroit — acknowledged that Windsor residents seek a federal government capable of “having their back” against Trump’s threats. He believes that regardless of any potential easing of tensions between Ottawa and Washington, his constituents will continue to grapple with pre-Trump challenges: high living costs, fentanyl-related issues in downtown areas, and immigration pressures on housing and social services.
Both Dilkens and Masse recognize allies on the American side of the border. Recently, the mayor visited Bryan Barnett, the Republican mayor of Rochester Hills, Michigan, where they honored him by raising a Canadian flag. Masse also mentioned Rep. Rashida Tlaib, a progressive Democrat from Detroit, as an ally.
While both Barnett and Tlaib have offered assistance to Canada, some remain hesitant to express support out of fear of repercussions from the White House. "Not everyone is even quietly an ally, because they're just afraid to say something," says Dilkens.
Earlier this month, Canadian mayors and Indigenous leaders from the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River region advocated against tariffs in Washington. The Federation of Canadian Municipalities engaged with U.S. officials back in February.
Windsor is not alone in facing these challenges.
Cam Bissonnette, the owner of a duty-free shop in Osoyoos, British Columbia, expressed his emotional struggle during a recent press conference as he sought federal assistance for businesses that rely on cross-border traffic.
“Right now, it really feels like we are hostages in economic warfare,” Bissonnette said, referencing a drop in customers crossing the border and recalling a day when his only transaction was a refund.
"We know that aluminum, lumber, the automotive industry — they employ hundreds of thousands of people in this country," he added. "They can sell their products elsewhere in the world. We can't."
Barbara Barrett, executive director of the Frontier Duty Free Association, urged Ottawa to provide "targeted financial support and a plan that recognizes unique vulnerabilities of border-dependent communities — and the businesses that keep them alive."
Border towns play a crucial role in extensive supply chains, and their connections are more personal than just economic.
Niagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodati shared that his family is divided between both sides of the border, with his best friend residing in western New York.
In Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Mayor Matt Shoemaker noted the contrast with the similarly named town across the St. Marys River, highlighting that many Michiganders cross over to Canada for basic amenities like public swimming pools.
However, Canadian residents are becoming more hesitant to visit Detroit.
Mayor Allan MacEachern of St. Stephen, New Brunswick, which borders Calais, Maine, voiced his residents' frustrations. “They’re upset. It’s a punch in the gut, so to speak, from our neighbors. I’ll say neighbor,” he remarked, referring to Trump. “That’s the problem. Our neighbors are taking the heat for it.”
For instance, in February, the number of travelers crossing the land border into the U.S. dropped by around 500,000.
In Windsor, Dilkens attributes some reluctance to visit to the unfavorable exchange rate, as the loonie struggles against the U.S. dollar. “The high U.S. dollar makes me second guess going over there and spending any money, because it’s just not worth it,” he noted.
Dilkens chairs the newly formed Border Mayors Alliance, a group of over three dozen mayors that emerged during the pandemic when the border was closed.
Their primary mission is to cultivate municipal alliances across the border that can sway U.S. lawmakers, a grassroots movement that feeds into Canada’s provincial and federal initiatives.
They keep Canada’s embassy and consulates informed about their interactions, building a database of American contacts who might advocate on Canada’s behalf.
Dilkens aims to maximize public speaking opportunities in the Detroit area, asserting that the embassy is conducting “very targeted research so that mayors are empowered with all the right information” when discussing issues with their American counterparts.
Reflecting on past sentiments, Diodati recalled purchasing Trump’s “The Art of the Deal” in 1987 when he was a budding entrepreneur: “I was a young entrepreneur. I was intrigued by Donald Trump, and I liked his personality and the way he negotiated deals.”
In a conversation with PMG in February, Diodati suggested that Trump’s annexation remarks were likely intended as a negotiation tactic. “I get his MO. It didn’t offend me, but I can see how a lot of people are hurt by it, because they think we’re too close for someone to take a shot like that.”
Dilkens mentioned that Canadians are bracing for the next potential challenge, with new U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods set to take effect soon. “April 2 will be a telling day,” he stated.
Camille Lefevre for TROIB News
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