Blaine, WA — U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) convened a roundtable discussion today to address the severe impact of former President Trump’s trade war and tariffs on the economy of Washington state’s border communities.
In Blaine, a city along the United States-Canada border, local businesses have reported a staggering 40% decrease in retail and service revenue, while nearby Bellingham faces a 20% revenue decline.
As Washington’s largest trading partner, Canada accounts for nearly $20 billion in imports and $10 billion in exports for the state.
Senator Murray was joined by notable local figures including Blaine Mayor Mary Lou Steward, Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke from Canada, Blaine City Manager Mike Harmon, Dr. Laurie Trautman, Director of the Border Policy Research Institute, and Ali Hayton, Owner of Point Roberts Marketplace.
The backdrop to this discussion was the uncertain landscape following President Trump’s announcement on April 2nd regarding sweeping new tariffs affecting nearly all countries.
These tariffs included a baseline 10% tax on imported goods and country-specific reciprocal tariffs that were initially imposed and then abruptly paused after just a few days.
Despite the temporary pause, Trump’s administration has maintained the highest tariff rates in decades, estimated to cost American families over $4,000 annually—marking the largest tax increase since 1968.
“As everyone here knows, the folks just across the border in Canada are not just our neighbors—they are our friends, and some families even span the border,” said Senator Murray.
Murray emphasized the importance of trade and tourism with Canada, stating, “Trade with Canada, and visitors and customers are a crucial part of the local economy.”
She expressed concern that Trump’s policies and rhetoric are creating fear and confusion for travelers.
“He’s whipping up a fact-free frenzy about drugs at the Canadian border. The fact is: less than 1 percent of fentanyl intercepted at the U.S. border is from Canada,” she remarked, highlighting the negative effects of misinformation.
Murray continued, “Trump is pushing away some of our most important trade partners, raising prices for families at the grocery store, and pushing small businesses to the brink. This is incredibly harmful to our communities.
His chaotic approach to trade is catastrophic for business, and it’s not the way we should treat our neighbors.”
Washington state, being one of the most trade-dependent states in the U.S., has approximately 40% of its jobs tied to international commerce.
The state is renowned for its production of apples, blueberries, hops, pears, spearmint oil, and sweet cherries—products that may lose vital export markets due to retaliatory tariffs from key trading partners, including Canada.
Murray highlighted the struggles faced by more than 12,000 small and medium-sized companies in Washington that export goods and are unable to absorb the impact of retaliatory tariffs.
For instance, during Trump’s first term, India imposed a 20% retaliatory tariff on U.S. apples, leading to a 99% decrease in Washington apple shipments to India, costing growers hundreds of millions of dollars in exports.
Mary Lou Steward, the Mayor of Blaine, emphasized the importance of Canadian visitors to the local economy, stating, “We really, really depend upon Canadians coming to shop in Blaine.
Historically, Canadians have immensely supported local businesses, particularly in sectors like gas, dairy, and retail.
However, the drop in Canadian traffic has hurt job retention and revenue, which is vital for funding essential services like the police department.”
Steward pointed out the critical nature of sales tax for the city, noting that it eclipses property tax receipts nearly two-to-one.
She said, “Sales tax is really, really important for our community’s services and wellbeing.
Even though Blaine and Bellingham receive similar numbers of Canadian visitors, those going to Bellingham tend to spend four times as much as those visiting Blaine.”
Dr. Laurie Trautman, Director of the Border Policy Research Institute, remarked on the broader implications of the trade war, stating, “Much like during the pandemic, our border communities are disproportionately impacted.
This time, however, the challenges stem from the antagonistic approach of the Trump Administration towards Canada.
These impacts extend beyond immediate economic consequences; they affect our social connections and our overall community resilience.”
Ali Hayton, owner of Point Roberts Marketplace, shared her perspective on the uncertainty faced by border communities.
“Senator Murray has long championed our unique needs during challenging times, including the recent pandemic.
Her commitment remains strong as we now face the challenges of international tariff disputes.
Despite the ongoing struggles, today’s meeting gave us hope for rebuilding connections with our Canadian neighbors,” said Hayton.
Murray has consistently voiced opposition to Trump’s trade policies and is working to elevate the concerns of those in Washington state affected by the administration’s approach to trade.
She has called on Republicans to end the trade war and return Congress’ Constitutionally-granted power regarding tariffs.
Earlier this month, she held discussions with leaders from across the state to emphasize the devastating effects of Trump’s trade policies on Washington’s economy, businesses, and agriculture sector.
Senator Murray reiterated her commitment to tackling these challenges by engaging with various stakeholders, including small business owners and port officials statewide.
In a statement, she said, “The real damage being done by Trump’s tariffs and chaotic policies is a threat not only to our economy but to American families and their ability to succeed.
I will continue to advocate for our communities and work alongside local leaders during these turbulent times.”
Through her efforts, Murray aims to ensure that the voices of border communities are heard and that their needs are prioritized amid the ongoing trade tensions.
image source from：https://www.murray.senate.gov/senator-murray-hears-from-mayors-and-business-leaders-about-how-trumps-trade-war-is-hurting-border-communities-in-northwest-washington/
