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President Donald Trump's decision to impose tariffs on Canadian goods has sent shockwaves through border communities, leaving residents and businesses anxious about the future.

The proposed 25% tariff on most Canadian imports, including a 10% levy on Canadian oil and gas, is expected to have a significant impact on cross-border relations and local economies.

The US-Canada border, once a symbol of close ties between the two nations, is now feeling the strain of economic divisions.

The tariffs have sparked concerns in communities that rely heavily on trade and cross-border cooperation.

Industries on both sides of the border, such as farming, retail, and manufacturing, are intertwined, and disruptions could lead to price increases, longer wait times, and delays in shipments.

Laurie Trautman, director of the Border Policy Research Institute at Western Washington University, explains the broad-reaching effects of the tariffs: "These industries on both sides are built up out of a cross-border relationship, and disruptions will play out on both sides."

Even the mere threat of tariffs has caused emotional tension, with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau urging citizens to support domestic products and services, AP News said.

Border Communities Brace for Impact as US-Canada Tariff Tensions Rise

In Skagway, Alaska, residents are already worried about the potential increase in the cost of building supplies like lumber and concrete.

Orion Hanson, a local contractor, notes the "special connection" between Skagway and Whitehorse, the capital of Yukon, just across the border. Many residents travel to Whitehorse for shopping, medical care, and other services, making the potential tariff impact particularly concerning.

"We're really our most accessible neighbor," Hanson said. "The cost of living in small, remote places is already high, and this could make it even worse."

In Point Roberts, Washington, a unique five-square-mile exclave that's geographically connected to Canada, residents are hoping for an exemption from Canadian retaliatory tariffs.

Wayne Lyle, a local real estate agent, fears that Canadians may avoid the area due to rising tensions. "We don't want Canada to think we're the bad guys," he said, emphasizing the need for understanding in such a close-knit border community.

Further east in Maine, commercial lobsterman John Drouin has expressed concern about the effect the tariffs could have on the lobster industry. Drouin, who fishes in waters along the US-Canada border, relies on Canadian processors to handle much of the lobster catch.

If tariffs are imposed, lobsters shipped to Canada for processing would face added costs when returned to the US, potentially leading to higher prices for consumers.

Drouin, who has been critical of Trump's trade policies, worries about the long-term impact on Maine's economy. "The rhetoric is a bit much, what's taking place," he said.

As the tariffs loom, Maine lawmakers are working to strengthen relations with Canada. The Maine-Canadian Legislative Advisory Commission, established in 1977, is engaging in diplomacy to maintain strong ties with their northern neighbor.

According to NewsCenterMaine, State Senator Mark Lawrence, a member of the commission, emphasized the importance of human-to-human communication, especially during uncertain times like these.