Yuyun Lusiyani
On the northeast edge of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, a powerful symbol of enduring cross-border camaraderie unfolded in late June, as nearly 1,100 individuals participated in the annual International Bridge Walk. This cherished tradition connects the twin cities of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, and Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, spanning the St. Mary’s River, a vital artery between Lake Superior and Lake Huron. Under a bright summer sun, the atmosphere was thick with sentiments of shared heritage and mutual respect, yet beneath the surface, a growing storm of diplomatic and economic friction between the United States and Canada cast a long shadow over the festivities.
The event, often referred to as a celebration of "one family," saw participants adorned in cheerful patriotic attire. Canadians proudly displayed maple leaves on their scarves, socks, shirts, and shorts, while Americans sported star-spangled T-shirts, some heralding the nation’s upcoming 250th birthday. Don Gerrie, mayor of the Michigan Sault (pronounced "Soo"), articulated the prevailing local sentiment, telling the gathered crowd, "We don’t like to say there’s a border there, because we’re twin cities. We’re one family, the countries of Canada and the United States." He underscored this spirit of unity by wearing a black ballcap, a gift from his Ontario counterpart, emblazoned with both nations’ flags and the resonant phrases "Stronger Together" and "Allies and Friends." This display of grassroots solidarity, however, stood in stark contrast to the escalating tensions emanating from Washington and Ottawa, which have begun to inflict tangible economic pain on these very communities.
Escalating Trade Tensions: A Chronology of Disagreement
The harmonious scene at the International Bridge Walk belied a rapidly deteriorating relationship between the two nations, traditionally close allies and economic partners. The primary catalyst for this discord has been the assertive trade policies implemented by President Donald Trump during his second term. In recent weeks leading up to the bridge walk, President Trump had publicly threatened new tariffs, citing Canada’s alleged "discriminatory treatment of American products" and, notably, retaliating for thick wildfire smoke that had wafted into the U.S. from Canadian forests. This was not an isolated incident but part of a pattern of protectionist measures.
The White House formalized these threats by announcing an additional 50% tariff on a broad array of Canadian products, a move that sent shockwaves through industries on both sides of the border. Subsequently, utilizing a separate, less transparent mechanism, the administration imposed a further 10% in tariffs. These actions were justified by the White House as necessary to address imbalances and perceived unfair practices, echoing the "America First" rhetoric that has defined Trump’s approach to international trade.
This latest round of tariffs follows a turbulent period in U.S.-Canada trade relations, which saw the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) into the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) during Trump’s first term. While initially touted by the administration as a significant victory for American workers and businesses, the current tariffs directly contravene the spirit, and in some cases, the explicit terms, of this very agreement. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, in a letter posted on social media, explicitly stated that the U.S. tariffs were "in direct violation" of the standing North American trade deal, underscoring the deep rift forming between the two countries. The situation is further complicated by the USMCA being up for review this year, with the Trump administration having already declined a long-term extension of the pact, signaling a potential unraveling of decades of integrated North American commerce.
Economic Fallout on the Borderlands
The immediate and most visible consequence of these escalating trade hostilities has been a precipitous decline in cross-border traffic and economic activity. The Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge, a critical artery for commerce and tourism, has become a barometer of this strain. Data from the International Bridge Administration (IBA), which manages the span, paints a grim picture. Last year alone, the Sault area experienced a loss of at least $82.9 million in local spending due to decreased crossings. This staggering figure breaks down to $62.7 million on the Michigan side and $20.2 million on the Ontario side, highlighting the interconnected economic ecosystem that is now under severe duress.
The numbers are stark: 270,000 fewer total crossings were recorded at the Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge last year compared to 2024, representing a nearly 24% drop. This decline significantly outpaced similar reductions at Michigan’s other border crossings, indicating a localized and acute impact. Analysis based on bridge fare currency and information from the Canadian prime minister’s office attributes the bulk of this reduction to a dramatic loss of Canadian travelers. Halfway into 2026, auto traffic has remained at this lower volume, while commercial traffic, crucial for supply chains and regional industries, has plummeted by an additional 15%.
This local trend mirrors a broader national pattern. Across Canada, the total number of Canadians returning from the United States last year decreased by more than 25%, according to data from the Canadian government. Michael Broadway, a geographer and professor emeritus at Northern Michigan University who has extensively researched these travel trends, attributes this phenomenon to a conscious "boycott" by Canadian consumers. "Ordinary people can only do so much about federal politics," Broadway observed, "but what they can do is they can vote with their feet." This grassroots response reflects widespread Canadian frustration with U.S. trade policies and rhetoric.
Businesses like Bird’s Eye Outfitters, a gear shop and cafe in the Michigan Sault co-owned by Wilda Hopper, are feeling the direct impact. Hopper noted that the drop-off in Canadian visitors is most pronounced during the off-season, when her establishment relies heavily on local community support, including patrons from the Ontario Sault. Between fewer Canadian customers and rising operational costs, her business revenue is down approximately 27% compared to the previous summer. This sentiment is echoed across the region. Michigan state Senator John Damoose, a Republican representing the eastern Upper Peninsula, including Sault Ste. Marie, confirmed, "I can tell you that I’ve spoken to business after business up in the Sault Ste. Marie area, and in the eastern Upper Peninsula, and they’re all feeling the pressure from this. Mackinac Island’s feeling the pressure, everybody is feeling the heat from this deterioration in our relationship with Canada." Damoose expressed bewilderment at the turn of events, recalling how Canadians had crossed the Sault bridge to assist Michiganders in repairing the electrical grid after a brutal ice storm just last year, emphasizing, "This is our best friend in the entire world."
The Gordie Howe Bridge: Another Point of Contention
Further illustrating the political frost, the new publicly owned Gordie Howe International Bridge, a monumental infrastructure project connecting Detroit and Windsor, Ontario, opened its doors on Monday. This bridge, a testament to decades of U.S.-Canada cooperation and shared economic vision, was inaugurated with a Canada-only opening ceremony. President Trump, despite having previously cheered the project during his first term, was conspicuously absent from the ribbon-cutting. His administration had even pressured Canada, leading to delays in the bridge’s development. This absence underscores a clear political distancing, even from projects that inherently foster cross-border trade and connectivity. The Gordie Howe Bridge, with its estimated $5.7 billion CAD (approximately $4.2 billion USD) cost, largely borne by Canada, is expected to significantly enhance trade and travel capacity in the busiest commercial corridor between the two nations, yet its opening was overshadowed by the ongoing diplomatic chill.
Political Silence and Local Disconnect
The growing economic and diplomatic crisis at the border has put Michigan’s political representatives in a difficult position. At the Sault bridge celebration, there was no sign of the region’s congressional representative, Republican Rep. Jack Bergman, who has served a district encompassing the Upper Peninsula and a northern swath of the state’s "mitten" since 2017. This silence is particularly notable given Bergman’s past record. During Trump’s first term, he was a vocal proponent of strong U.S.-Canada relations, even hailing the Sault bridge as a crucial point where "millions" cross annually "to conduct business, shop, work and enjoy what each country has to offer." In 2020, upon his appointment to an interparliamentary group fostering exchange between Canadian and American legislators, Bergman boasted of his commitment to expanding market access between both nations and championed the USMCA as an economic victory for Michigan’s farmers, small businesses, and consumers.
Yet, in Trump’s second term, Bergman, who is endorsed by the President in an upcoming contested primary on August 4, has remained virtually silent on the new tariffs and their severe blowback on his constituents. His official website’s news items contain only two references to Sault Ste. Marie: a mention of an infrastructure project and a February 2025 letter to the president about a purported member of a Venezuelan gang crossing the border. There is no public acknowledgment of the economic distress faced by local businesses or the pleas from constituents urging him to speak out.
This lack of engagement has not gone unnoticed. Bergman’s primary challengers have highlighted his perceived disconnect, alleging that he rarely hosts public town halls in the district, a practice he abandoned after his first year in office. Furthermore, long-standing allegations persist regarding his true residency, with critics claiming his property in the western Upper Peninsula is merely a "cabin" or "camp," while his primary residence is in Louisiana. Although Bergman has previously countered these claims by asserting his Michigan home as his primary residence and his registered voter status, these issues contribute to a perception of detachment from the local concerns exacerbated by the trade war. ProPublica reached out to Bergman, his office, and his campaign multiple times for comment on the situation in his district but received no response.
Broader Implications for Michigan’s Economy and U.S.-Canada Relations
The repercussions of the strained relationship extend far beyond the immediate border communities. Michigan’s agriculture industry, the state’s second-largest sector, is particularly vulnerable. An unreleased report from the state’s agriculture department indicates that agricultural exports to Canada plummeted by 12.3% last year, signaling "severe strain with a country that is our strongest trading partner." This data underscores how quickly a trade dispute can undermine established economic ties, affecting thousands of jobs and livelihoods across the state.
The White House, in a fact sheet justifying the 50% tariff, acknowledged the shifts in Canadian consumer behavior. It noted that Canadian imports of U.S. motor vehicles dropped by approximately 22% between April 2025 and March 2026 compared to the previous year. Additionally, provincial restrictions have led to a significant decline in Canadian imports of U.S. alcoholic beverages. These figures illustrate Canada’s active efforts to reduce reliance on U.S. products, driven by both official policy and consumer sentiment.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has publicly signaled a strategic reorientation, emphasizing that Canada is actively seeking trading partners beyond its immediate southern neighbor. In an April video message on his YouTube channel, Carney stated, "Many of our former strengths, based on our close ties to America, have become our weaknesses — weaknesses that we must correct." This declaration represents a significant shift in Canadian foreign and economic policy, potentially leading to long-term diversification of trade away from the U.S., with profound implications for the future of North American economic integration.
Challenges to Cross-Border Mobility and Bridge Sustainability
Beyond tariffs and trade disputes, several other factors contribute to the decline in cross-border travel. The U.S. approach to non-citizens, particularly stricter enforcement by agencies like Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), has created a chilling effect. Recurring headlines in Canadian media recount stories of Canadians being detained in the U.S., fostering apprehension among potential travelers. These incidents, regardless of their individual merits, contribute to a perception of increased risk and inconvenience associated with crossing the border. Furthermore, the persistent weakness of the Canadian dollar against the U.S. dollar means that Canadian visitors find their purchasing power diminished, making shopping and vacationing in the U.S. less attractive.
For publicly owned infrastructure like the International Bridge, which relies on tolls for maintenance and operations, sustained declines in traffic pose a serious threat to financial viability. The International Bridge Authority, in its five-year plan issued in December, starkly warned: "Border challenges negatively affecting bridge traffic, trade and tourism may significantly reduce bridge revenue or increase expenditures beyond operational sustainability." This highlights a critical, often overlooked, consequence of strained international relations: the direct impact on essential infrastructure and public services that bind these communities together. The Sault bridge, as the only vehicular border crossing for hundreds of miles in either direction, is not just a commercial gateway but a lifeline for families, businesses, and emergency services.
The Future of North American Trade
As the USMCA approaches its critical review, the current climate of hostility makes a smooth renewal or extension highly uncertain. The Trump administration’s refusal of a long-term extension, coupled with Canada’s explicit intention to diversify its trade relationships, points towards a potentially fractured North American economic landscape. The once-unquestioned bonds of friendship and cooperation, vividly displayed at the International Bridge Walk, are being severely tested by political maneuvering and protectionist policies.
The fate of communities like Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, and its Canadian twin, hinges on a reversal of these trends and a return to more stable, predictable trade relations. The economic data clearly indicates that the current approach is detrimental to both sides, particularly for border regions that thrive on integrated economies and shared cultural experiences. Without a diplomatic resolution to the escalating trade war, the vibrant tradition of cross-border unity may continue to be overshadowed by the profound and growing chasm between two nations that once proudly called each other "allies and friends." The call for unity from local leaders like Mayor Gerrie resonates deeply, but it struggles to be heard above the din of tariffs and political estrangement, leaving border communities to bear the brunt of a geopolitical struggle they never asked for.
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