Brampton Councillor Rowena Santos is calling for stronger cooperation between Canadian and American mayors to shield their communities from the escalating U.S.-Canada trade conflict. “Mayors on both sides of the border need to join forces to counter the damaging effects of a trade war,” she stated.
This week, the U.S. Conference of Mayors echoed concerns raised by Canadian municipal leaders for months: trade disputes devastate local economies. Santos, alongside Whitby Regional Councillor Chris Leahy, argues that mayors could serve as mediators, stepping in to prevent harm to cities and towns caught in the crossfire.
The councillors propose establishing a formal, permanent coalition of mayors from both nations. “Our local governments share a unique connection, reinforced by intertwined businesses and supply chains,” Santos explained. “This is a chance to build a united front against what’s being called the ‘Trump Tax’ and protect the deep-rooted partnership between Canada and the U.S.”
As part of a broader city-to-city strategy, Santos plans to push the City of Brampton and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) to organize a cross-border summit of municipal leaders. Her goal? To launch an “Alliance of Municipalities Against Tariffs.” “Local governments feel the weight of trade wars more than anyone,” she said. “Formalizing this collaboration would empower municipalities to safeguard our economies on both sides of the border.”
Santos, an FCM Board Member, and Leahy point to their January 20, 2025, FromCityToCity.ca campaign—launched during the U.S. presidential inauguration in Washington, D.C.—as evidence of the stakes. The campaign highlighted how factory slowdowns or closures ripple through local communities, hitting jobs and economies hardest, regardless of nationality.
“The U.S. Conference of Mayors’ recent statement proves they understand this too,” Santos said, applauding their emergency motion urging the Trump administration to rethink tariffs that threaten American businesses and consumers. “Their call to preserve trade with Canada aligns with our fight.”
Leahy added, “Canadian mayors should seize this moment, issue a parallel declaration, and convene an urgent joint meeting with U.S. mayors. Together, we can stand up for every community facing the fallout of this trade war.”
For Santos, the solidarity from U.S. local leaders is encouraging—but insufficient. “It’s reassuring that American officials recognize the value of our trade relationship, but we need more than words. Canadian mayors should take charge, treat the U.S. statement as a call to action, and work hand-in-hand with their counterparts to halt this chaos.”
Amid swirling rumors of a potential trade agreement, Santos emphasized the urgency: “Businesses need stability to invest and grow. Until a deal is locked in, the uncertainty lingers—and our communities bear the cost.”