The Associated Equipment Distributors (AED) are urging United States President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to refrain from implementing tariffs on imports from each other’s countries.
On Jan. 31, AED delivered letters to both Trump and Trudeau voicing the association’s opposition to the use of tariffs.
Trump has indicated that he will place 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian imports on February 1, and Canada’s federal government has said it will retaliate.
In the letters, AED’s President and CEO Brian P. McGuire explained the importance of the strong cross-border relationship between Canada and the United States and the integrated nature of our economies.
“The equipment sector is by nature, an international industry, and there’s no stronger bond than that between the United States and Canada,” McGuire wrote to both leaders. “AED encourages greater collaboration and cooperation that results in shared prosperity without imposing harmful tariffs detrimental to both countries.”
In the letter to Trump, McGuire highlights that Canada is the USA’s most important trading partner.
“We look forward to working with you to implement your American First agenda, including making permanent the Tax Cuts & Jobs Act, unleashing domestic energy production, and regulatory reform,” McGuire writes in the letter. “However, the equipment sector is by nature, an international industry, and there’s no stronger bond than that between the United States and Canada.”
In his letter to Trudeau, McGuire explained AED is stressing to the Trump administration and congressional leaders in Washington that indiscriminate tariffs on all Canadian imports would have harmful repercussions for American consumers and companies.
“Retaliatory measures would further exacerbate the situation,” McGuire writes. “We know you and all the premiers are encouraging greater collaboration and cooperation with the United States as a better path toward shared prosperity without imposing harmful tariffs detrimental to both countries.
AED is the international trade association representing companies that sell, rent, service and manufacture construction, farm, mining, energy, forestry and industrial equipment. Its members include American and Canadian companies, many of whom conduct business on both sides of the border.