Canada and the U.S. share the world's longest border. Here's how the election could affect it
Spend just a few minutes at the border between Canada and the U.S. – the world's longest – and you'll see why trade is a vital lifeline.
CTV National News got to the Windsor, Ont. border crossing shortly after dawn at the beginning of a multi-state road trip to witness dozens of transport trailers at a duty-free stop on the Canadian side fueling up and passing by.
Most of the goods they're hauling are covered by a trade agreement between three countries: Canada, the U.S. and Mexico. Formerly known as NAFTA, the trade agreement is now called the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) by the Canadian government.
Last year $3.6 billion in trade flowed through the border daily and 400,000 crossed it for business, tourism, or to see family and friends.
Though they have no stake in voting, truckers on the Windsor side describe the election as critical. "As a Canadian, as a border city, it depends on us a lot. Our economy. Our jobs. Our income," Behar Berbatovci said. "We had Donald Trump before but I'm not a fan. He started putting tariffs, causing war between the trades."
Another Canadian trucker who chose not to give his name, says he was better off when former U.S. president Donald Trump was in power.
"When Trump was there, the trucking business was high, we were getting good money. Right now, it's bad," said the trucker, adding he made thousands more each month at that time.
The Trump administration preceded the pandemic that ushered in economic headwinds, closed borders and impacted supply chains throughout the world.
And now, for Canada, each presidential candidate could bring unique challenges to the bilaterial relationship.
This year, for the first time in decades, the truckers' union - the Teamsters - opted not to endorse either candidate.
Trump has vowed to renegotiate the trade deal in 2026. He oversaw the revision of NAFTA already during his presidency.
The negotiations that began in 2017 to replace NAFTA brought Canada-U.S. relations to a low-point, as Trump hurled insults(opens in a new tab) at Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and slapped hefty tariffs on Canadian aluminum and steel(opens in a new tab).
"I terminated NAFTA. That's a pretty big thing," Trump said earlier this month. "A lot of people said it would be impossible to do. I got it done, and we have a great deal now. What we have to do is make it much better even, and we'll be able to do that very shortly."
Trucks cross the Ambassador Bridge from Windsor, Ont. into Detroit, Mich. (Paul Sancya / The Associated Press)
The new agreement included more U.S. access to Canadian supply managed sectors like dairy, allowed for cheaper online cross-border shipping and required higher levels of North American content in vehicles.
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris has also telegraphed a renegotiation of the agreement if elected. She was one of 10 senators who voted against the updated Canada, U.S., Mexico trade deal because she wanted more environmental protections.
"Looking at the policies of both Trump and Harris coming into this election, with regards to trade, they're both protectionists – one with subsidies, the other with tariffs," said Stephen Laskowski, President of Ontario's Trucking Association.
"With these types of issues, protectionism has been around for 20, 30 years, so it's a matter of learning to deal with it."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canada Post strike: Union 'extremely disappointed' in latest offer, negotiator says
A negotiator for the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) says the latest offer from Canada Post to end the ongoing strike shows the carrier is moving in the "opposite direction."
An archbishop's knock formally restores Notre Dame to life as winds howl and heads of state look on
France's iconic Notre Dame Cathedral is formally reopening its doors on Saturday for the first time since a devastating fire nearly destroyed the 861-year-old landmark in 2019.
Canada's air force took video of object shot down over Yukon, updated image released
The Canadian military has released more details and an updated image of the unidentified object shot down over Canada's Yukon territory in February 2023.
Why finding the suspected CEO killer is harder than you might think
He killed a high-profile CEO on a sidewalk in America’s largest city, where thousands of surveillance cameras monitor millions of people every day.
Sask. doctor facing professional charges in circumcision case
A Saskatoon doctor has been accused of unprofessional conduct following a high-cost adult circumcision that included a request for the patient to text unsecured post-op pictures of his genitals.
Man arrested after 16-hour standoff with Barrie police seeks to be released from custody
The 43-year-old man taken to hospital in distress following a 16-hour armed standoff with Barrie police last month is seeking bail.
Facing the holidays without family ties or the romantic partner of your dreams? Here's how to make this season fulfilling
While the holiday season is often a time rich with cheer love and family connections, it can also be a painful reminder of what once was.
Quebec City bus driver arrested for drunk-driving after collision
A Réseau de transport de la capitale (RTC) bus driver has been arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol after being involved in a collision in Quebec City late Friday evening.
Invasive species could be hiding in your Christmas decor. Here's how to stop the spread
Make sure to look through your holiday decorations, as Christmas trees, wreaths, and other natural decor can have invasive insects, eggs, and plants that pose a threat to local ecosystems and the economy.
Local Spotlight
Major Manitoba fossil milestones highlight the potential for future discoveries in the province
A trio of fossil finds through the years helped put Manitoba on the mosasaur map, and the milestone of those finds have all been marked in 2024.
Calgary company steps up to help grieving family with free furnace after fatal carbon monoxide poisoning
A Calgary furnace company stepped up big time Friday to help a Calgary family grieving the loss of a loved one.
'A well-loved piece': Historic carousel display from Hudson’s Bay Company store lands at Winnipeg shop
When a carousel setup from the Hudson’s Bay Company became available during an auction, a Winnipeg business owner had to have it.
Sask. doctor facing professional charges in circumcision case
A Saskatoon doctor has been accused of unprofessional conduct following a high-cost adult circumcision that included a request for the patient to text unsecured post-op pictures of his genitals.
Regina home recognized internationally for architectural design
Jane Arthur and her husband David began a unique construction project in 2014. Now, a decade later, their home in Regina's Cathedral neighbourhood has won a title in the Urban House and Villa category at the World Architecture Festival.
Calgary director Kiana Rawji turns her lens toward slums of Nairobi with 'Mama of Manyatta'
Two films shot in Kenya by a director and writer based in Brooklyn who grew up in Calgary are getting their Calgary premiere screening Saturday.
N.S. woman finds endangered leatherback sea turtle washed up on Cape Breton beach
Mary Janet MacDonald has gone for walks on Port Hood Beach, N.S., most of her life, but in all those years, she had never seen anything like the discovery she made on Saturday: a leatherback sea turtle.
'It moved me': Person returns stolen Prada bag to Halifax store; owner donates proceeds
A Halifax store owner says a person returned a Prada bag after allegedly stealing it.
'It's all about tradition': Bushwakker marking 30 years of blackberry mead
The ancient art of meadmaking has become a holiday tradition for Regina's Bushwakker Brewpub, marking 30 years of its signature blackberry mead on Saturday.