Maine governor Janet Mills hopes Canadian frustration towards the U.S. will shift after the November midterm elections. “If my party, the Democratic Party, can assume control of the House or the Senate or both, then things will have to change. They will have to. People have to stand up to a bully,” she said. She said Maine is feeling the impact of Trump-imposed tariffs, as steel and aluminum tariffs raise costs for craft breweries and the state’s construction industry. Farmers in the state are also having to pay more for potash fertilizer. “He’s creating economic chaos on both sides of the border. It’s not helping the American people,” she said. Mills isn’t the only Maine representative speaking out about tariffs. Republican senator Susan Collins took to X to call for a deal, saying “I urge the Administration to continue to work to deescalate this conflict and reach a trade resolution with our Canadian partners.” ‘I won’t forget’ On the 25th anniversary of 9/11, Mills is emphasizing the importance of the Canada-U.S. relationship. “I remember the great hospitality, the deep friendship that Canadians expressed to us, demonstrated to us, and how important that was to the thousands of Americans who landed in Gander, Newfoundland, and were given security and assistance, of the generosity of those people’s hearts. I won’t forget that. Our president should have to try to remember those things, too,” she said. Mills said she understands Canadians’ offense to President Donald Trump’s comments. “I feel sorry for those things. He’s not helping our relationship. He’s damaging it almost irretrievably,” she said. On Thursday, New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt introduced additional tariff measures — including exploring the possibility of excluding Americans from the province’s moose hunt. “The time to act is now. When we have President Trump attacking New Brunswick businesses, then the whole government is going to stand up for our New Brunswick businesses,” she said. But Mills hopes a rising number of Canadians travelling south compared to last year is indicative of a shifting sentiment. “Our family histories that go back generations, our cultural histories, our cuisine and our economic ties. Don’t forget us. We love you. Come back,” she said. For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
