Detroit City Wire

The Canadian Consul General in Detroit, Colin Bird, expressed concerns about the impact of the Trump administration's tariffs on Canada and Mexico. He stated that these tariffs are not only affecting the relationship between the United States and its key trading partners but also damaging U.S. credibility as it prepares for upcoming negotiations related to the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).

Bird shared his views during a discussion with U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin and Sandy K. Baruah, CEO of the Detroit Regional Chamber. The conversation emphasized the longstanding relationship between the U.S. and Canada, characterized by over a century of amicable interactions and free trade.

Baruah echoed Bird's concerns, noting that while there was initial optimism about the new administration, business leaders are now facing unexpected uncertainties. "What we’re hearing is the initial excitement about the new administration was genuine," Baruah said. "Now what we’re hearing is it’s beginning to look a lot like COVID in the sense that business leaders are really struggling with a level of uncertainty they were not expecting."