Bipartisan Senate Move: Resolution Aims to Cement Canada-U.S. Partnership
WASHINGTON — On Wednesday, U.S. Senators presented a resolution supported by both parties aimed at acknowledging the U.S.-Canada alliance amid ongoing tensions caused by President Donald Trump’s imposition of tariffs and his talk of annexation.
Republican Senator Kevin Cramer from North Dakota and Independent Senator Angus King from Maine presented a symbolic resolution with backing from eight additional legislators across the political spectrum.
“Serving as a representative for a northern-border state, I understand the significance of the special relationship between the United States and Canada,” Cramer stated in a press release. “Our neighbors up north play an essential role not just economically and in terms of national security, but they are also essentially our nearest allies.”
Canada was among the first targets of Trump’s criticism and tariff threats after he won the election in November.
He consistently referred to former prime minister Justin Trudeau as a “governor” and persistently claims his desire to turn Canada into a U.S. state. His grievances span issues like defense expenditures and trade imbalances, and he characterizes the international boundary as “arbitrary.”
In March, Trump imposed economy-wide tariffs on Canada, though he subsequently reduced the duties a few days later for goods that met the standards set out in the new Canada–U.S.–Mexico Agreement on trade. Trump connected these tariffs to the influx of fentanyl; however, data from the U.S. government indicates that only a minuscule amount of this lethal substance is intercepted at the northern border.
Steel, aluminum, and automobile tariffs also affect Canada.
King stated that he acknowledges “the numerous unfortunate challenges posed by the present circumstances.”
“Although I’m enthusiastic about resubmitting this proposal to underscore both of our countries’ dedication to each other, we have to recognize the strong bonds between us so as to address and minimize any possible disturbances to our closely linked objectives,” King stated in the press release.
The resolution acknowledges that the relationship between the United States and Canada is essential for fostering peace and enhancing worldwide economic prospects, according to the news release.
This statement highlights common defense and security pledges, including organizations such as the North American Aerospace Defense Command, known as NORAD. The press release mentioned collaborative efforts towards border security and working together against cross-border threats like illicit immigration and fentanyl smuggling.
Earlier this year, Mark Amodei, a Republican representative from Nevada, proposed a comparable resolution in the House of Representatives.
Cramer and King serve as co-chairs of the American Canadian Economy and Security Caucus. According to the press statement, the U.S. and Canada are bordered by three oceans and have the longest international boundary in the world — through which approximately 400,000 individuals and over $2.5 billion in merchandise pass daily.
The number of Canadians crossing over to the United States via land borders has significantly dropped as Trump’s statements targeting Canada intensified.
Initial statistics provided by Statistics Canada indicate that the number of Canadians entering their country via vehicle from the U.S. decreased by 35% in April when compared to the corresponding period in 2024.
American media outlets have highlighted that directors of tourism organizations are voicing worries over the substantial decline in visitors from Canada, notably affecting neighboring states.
The Grand Forks Herald stated that the Fargo-Moorhead Visitors Bureau issued an email to its members indicating “it has become evident that the frayed U.S.-Canada relations are adversely affecting retail sales in border towns such as ours.”
Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire stated at a Wednesday meeting of the Senate Small Business Committee that the strained relations with Canada, along with President Trump’s tariffs, are causing considerable effects.
At the hearing, she spoke about a bakery in her state that was established over 25 years ago and formerly generated approximately 85 percent of its revenue from sales to Canada.
“She mentioned that they previously had 25 employees but now only have two due to the president’s tariffs pushing them out of business,” she explained.
The report from The Canadian Press was initially released on May 21, 2025.
Kelly Geraldine Malone from The Canadian Press