SHELBURNE, Vt. (WCAX) – New England governors and eastern Canadian premiers gathered in Vermont to reaffirm their commitment to cross-border friendship.
Gov. Phil Scott hosted the 47th annual conference at Shelburne Farms.
“Our relationships are our most critical infrastructure,” said Scott, R-Vermont.
The weekend of diplomacy tackled some of the most pressing cross-border issues: tariffs, energy, tourism, alcohol bans and the looming shadow of federal tension between Washington and Ottawa.
“This is a two-way street… Economic prosperity and security of the United States is dependent on that free, open relationship with Canada,” Prince Edward Island Premier Rob Lantz said.
The Trump administration’s tariffs on Canadian goods have strained one of the country’s most important trade relationships, and Scott has been vocal in his opposition.
“It’s unfortunate. Again, I don’t blame them for being angry; I don’t blame them for what little retribution they’ve done,” Scott said.
The governor recently sent a letter to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, pushing back on the latest round of levies. Scott said he has not heard back, but tariffs were a major talking point over the weekend.
“Friendship is good; tariffs bad, basically. These are longstanding friendships, relationships and the commercial trade between our two countries is so important,” Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston said.
When pressed on what concrete solutions came out of the weekend, leaders pointed to energy as a bright spot.
“I just want to reiterate that Quebec wants to be a partner and will continue to be a reliable partner for our American friends in matters of energy,” said Christopher Skeete, Quebec’s minister of international affairs.
They did not share any specific details on what continued collaboration would look like.
The leaders said they say they will continue to work on issues they have deemed mutually beneficial when they get home.
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