Did you ever think you might see a headline like this one from Newsweek? DHS Announces ‘Strengthened Northern Border Strategy’ Amid Growing Tensions Between U.S. and Canada
President Trump isn’t exactly saber rattling, but after imposing tariffs on Canadian steel, aluminum and autos he does seem to be “rattling” the DHS’ Northern Border Strategy in a threatening manner.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced a “strengthened” Northern Border Strategy that it claims will help “combat terrorism” and “help facilitate travel and trade” at its border with Canada.
In a press release published on Tuesday, the DHS said its new strategy “establishes a clear vision and concrete actions that will improve DHS’s efforts to safeguard our northern border against terrorist and criminal threats, facilitate the safe and efficient flow of lawful cross-border trade and travel and strengthen cross-border critical infrastructure protection and community resilience.”
All this is taking place less than a week after President Trump citing “national security threats” announced the imposition of tariffs on Canadian steel, aluminum and autos entering the US.
Canadian Prime minister Justin Trudeau called the tariffs insulting and in response imposed tariffs on the US. Trudeau said: “I have made it very clear to the president that it is not something we relish doing, but it is something that we absolutely will do,” Trudeau said. “As Canadians, we are polite, we’re reasonable, but also we will not be pushed around.”
Vtdigger.com says Vermont officials are “fretting” over the tariff issue because: According to the U.S Trade Representative, exports to Canada are a major factor in the Vermont economy. Vermont exported $1.2 billion in goods to Canada in 2016 — more than a third of the total international exports.
Of course the U.S. isn’t massing troops and tanks along our 90 mile border with Canada. But the tariffs and “tension” resulting from Trump’s bullying engineered on Twitter could very well damage Vermont’s economy. What’s next Donald, a northern border wall? I wish it was obvious that was a joke but in Trump World …
In a note to readers the Valley News which covers the Upper Valley and is headquartered in Lebanon NH, cite tariff’s on newsprint as the cause for eliminating three jobs now and potentially seven more over the next year.
From VNews.com note to readers: Most Valley News readers are well aware that the newspaper industry faces any number of challenges these days, the most recent being a significant increase in our production costs resulting from a tariff on newsprint.
In July, we will outsource the advertising design process to Gannett Company Inc., resulting in the loss of three jobs.[…] The printing of the Valley News will move from West Lebanon to a refurbished offset printing facility in Concord. The press operation will be a joint venture with our sister newspaper, the Concord Monitor. Getting the new press up and running is expected to take approximately six months. Our seven full-time press and five full-time distribution personnel are being offered positions at the Concord facility, as have 18 part-time press and distribution staff.[added emphasis]