Tariff tension no big deal at popular N.B. car show

Thousands of Canadians and American come to the Atlantic Nationals car show in Moncton.

Thousands of car lovers from all over Canada and the United States have driven to Moncton this weekend for the 25th edition of the Atlantic Nationals.

“Biggest car show in Canada. Biggest tourism draw for a single event in New Brunswick,” said event chair Bill Doherty.

Over the past 25 years, Doherty said they’ve had guests, vendors and entertainers from all 10 provinces, two of the three territories and 28 states.

Doherty said the recent trade tension and tariff threats from President Donald Trump hasn’t really been an issue with their American guests.

They’re trying to make light of an issue they can’t control.

“We have so many great terrific friends in the U.S. They’ve been friends for years, they’re still good, good friends and they really enjoy the hospitality up here,” said Doherty. “We’ve had no talk of tariffs or trade or Trump or anything else, it’s all been on the positive side.”

Cliff Waller of Wellington, Texas, has come 24 times and loves every minute of it.

“This is our people,” said Waller. “It’s a party all week long. It’s a great atmosphere.”

Waller is representing Mothers, an auto detailing supplies company which is one of the major sponsors of the show.

“I deal with major retail customers up here as well and you know there is some tension. Through the public, I haven’t seen that,” said Waller. “We realize there are some differences in our government, both countries, but I just completely stay away from politics.”

Kent Writtenberry is the owner of Kentz Kustomz Cycles located in Gasburg, Virginia.

The vendor and entertainer has been coming for eight years.

“Everybody is so friendly. They take us in just like family,” said Writtenberry.

He’s trying to stay away from any sort of political talk about Trump, too, but isn’t seeing any tension at the show.

“I don’t see any difference. I don’t see any difference money-wise, I really don’t see any difference at all to be honest with you,” said Writtenberry.

Kristin Brown and her family travelled from Vancouver to the Maritimes for the first time to enjoy a two-week vacation that was capped off with the car show.

“I absolutely love it. Hopefully we will be back,” said Brown.

For now, her family has decided to stay away from the U.S.

“That was one of our main things was to just stay in Canada and just enjoy all of the different experiences and there’s so much to explore,” said Brown.

Tim Parsons of North Sydney, N.S., has been coming for nine years, but he skipped a show down south this year because of the trade tension.

“Well, yeah, that’s kind of keeping a lot of people away, not only me,” said Parsons.

Like Brown and her family, he’ll vacation in Canada for now.

“For the next couple, three or four years maybe. We’ll see what happens,” said Parsons.

Tide & Boar Owner Chad Steeves said the Friday of Atlantic Nationals is the busiest day of the whole year for his Main Street bar and restaurant.

“The amount of people that come downtown, the amount of people that just want to hang out and enjoy the cars is astronomical,” said Steeves. “It’s my favourite event.”

Steeves said tourism appears to be up summer in Moncton this summer and he’s seeing more people from across Canada visit his bar and restaurant.

“Big time. We’re seeing a lot more Quebecers that would typically go down to Maine or something, now are coming east to go to the beach and stuff like that,” said Steeves. “We’re seeing a lot more Canadians avoid America and travelling the Maritimes for sure.”

Close to 2,000 vehicles have been registered for the five-day, volunteer-driven community event, which ends on Sunday.

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