Ogdensburg, N.Y., is so close to Canada that residents need only gaze across the St. Lawrence River to see the homes of their northern neighbours.
For as long as many can remember, the water is all that has stood between them and their country’s nearest friends and trading partners. But in recent weeks that bond has been threatened.
Along the border in Upstate New York you’ll find plenty of support for President Donald Trump, but far less for his on-again, off-again tariffs on Canadian exports.
Depending on whom you speak with, the current trade war is either a mistake that could turn the cross-border relationship into something far less friendly, or part of a strategy requiring short-term pain to ensure long-term security.
Bob Gould runs a pair of UPS stores a short distance from the border, both of which “cannot be profitable without holding parcels for the Canadians,” he said, explaining they represent anywhere from 65 to 80 per cent of his business.
All the tariff talk has caused a lot of confusion, and even led one Canadian customer to threaten that the first time she’s charged a 25 per cent surtax at the border she won’t be back, he said.
Gould said while tariffs will hurt the region and he doesn’t support them, Trump can do an “awful lot of good” for the country. He believes Canada has benefited from the safety provided by the U.S. military, and said it’s time to reduce the flow of fentanyl and illegal immigration — no matter how little is actually crossing the norther border.
“I will deal with my business profitability if it saves lives, simple as that, and I think it will save lives,” said Gould.
U.S. President Donald Trump is pausing tariffs — again — on some goods from Canada and Mexico. Andrew Chang breaks down two schools of thought: whether Trump’s chaotic approach stems from lack of planning, or a much more intentional strategy.
He compared Trump to a tough coach who gets results, though he can see from the Canadian perspective how the president might come off as harsh.
“He’s a bull in a china shop that gets stuff done, and that’s hard,” said Gould. “He wants to save America. He wants to make America a better place, and I truly believe that.”
‘I think Trump’s a fool’
In Canton, N.Y., Dan Davis shared a different point of view. While he backed the president during his first term, Davis is now “very skeptical” given the tariffs.
“I think Trump’s a fool for messing with our closest ally and nearest neighbour,” he said, adding the tariffs are a major topic of conversation at work and around the dinner table. “I mean, it’s Canada. We’ve been good friends and allies for years. Why mess that up?”
Stopped by CBC outside the Walmart in Ogdesnburg, Jeffrey Buckingham said he’s among those who support the president overall, but can’t get behind him on tariffs.
“Especially with Canada, because we’re so close. We’ve got a river between us, but that’s it.” he said. “We think it’s crazy. Just like Trudeau said, [Trump is] a smart man, but it’s a dumb play.”
Standing in the same parking lot, Greg Barr pointed to Ontario licence plates on nearby vehicles as evidence Canadians are still crossing over. He said the only ones who seem to be having a “meltdown” about tariffs are Canadians.
“I think [Trump is] trying to do the right thing, but I understand why they’re complaining,” said Barr. “I’ve lived on this river my whole life. I’ve been in Canada hundreds of times. I like it over there, I don’t have trouble with any of you. Let’s get along.”
Alyssa Hicks joked she wouldn’t mind having one of those Canadian licence plates so she can continue to cross the border incognito until the trade battle cools down.
Hicks works at Phillip’s Diner, an Ogdensburg institution that counts many Canadians among its customers. She said most people in the community are more worried about making ends meet than what politicians are arguing about, but she hopes a “friendly compromise” can be reached.
“[I] hope it doesn’t get to that point where there’s so much division and hatred, because division is not good for anybody,” she said.
Michael Kent Barkley, one of the diner’s regulars, was more blunt. He has family in Canada and said Trump is “trying to cause trouble” with the tariffs and “going about it the wrong way.”
‘You have to hurt to grow’
Those who are for Trump’s tariffs said they’re prepared to accept any consequences that come with them.
Nicole Fleegle isn’t shy about her political beliefs. A flag with the slogan “Trump 2024 — Take America Back” is nailed to the side of her house. She said it’s time to put the U.S. first, and she supports the tariffs completely.
“Canada, they’re our friends to the north and stuff, but we need to do what’s best for the American economy,” she said.
Asked about Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s plan to slap a 25 per cent surcharge on U.S.-bound electricity, including power bound for her state, Fleegle said she’s not worried: “We can source elsewhere if we have to,” she said.
Lee and Donna Sweeney said they’re bracing for costs to rise. With a Trump-Vance flag flying outside their home, the couple’s political leanings are clear.
“Our president of the United States is the best thing that we’ve had in a long time,” said Lee Sweeney, the pastor of a small church in the area. “I’m 100% beside behind him…. The tariffs can hurt like anything, but sometimes you have to hurt to grow.”
Donna Sweeney agreed, explaining she’s willing to “bite the bullet” in order for Trump to get the country “under control” economically.
She said the media on both sides of the border are making a “mountain out of a molehill” when it comes to the tariffs, and everyone needs to “calm down, relax” and let the government do its job.
“I think President Trump is using this method to get us to take care of our borders and be more responsible on both sides, and it’s going to come out very well in the end,” she said.
Hailing from closer to Cornwall, Ont., Joanne Barnes of Massena, N.Y. said she’s finding it hard to support the president.
“I think it’s absolutely terrible. Why should we have tariffs with Canada?” she asked, adding she’s all for free trade.
“It’s going to ruin the American people. We’re going to be starving,” said Barnes.
Despite the obvious division, there was one thing everyone seemed to agree on: Of the more than one dozen people CBC spoke with at the gas pump, coffee shop and Walmart parking lot, not one supported the idea of Canada becoming their country’s 51st state.