SHELBURNE, Vt. (WCAX) – New England governors and eastern Canadian premiers gathered in Vermont to reaffirm their commitment to cross-border friendship.<\/p>\n
Gov. Phil Scott hosted the 47th annual conference at Shelburne Farms.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur relationships are our most critical infrastructure,\u201d said Scott, R-Vermont.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a two-way street… Economic prosperity and security of the United States is dependent on that free, open relationship with Canada,\u201d Prince Edward Island Premier Rob Lantz said.<\/p>\n
The Trump administration\u2019s tariffs on Canadian goods have strained one of the country\u2019s most important trade relationships, and Scott has been vocal in his opposition.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s unfortunate. Again, I don\u2019t blame them for being angry; I don\u2019t blame them for what little retribution they\u2019ve done,\u201d Scott said.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cFriendship is good; tariffs bad, basically. These are longstanding friendships, relationships and the commercial trade between our two countries is so important,\u201d Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston said.<\/p>\n
When pressed on what concrete solutions came out of the weekend, leaders pointed to energy as a bright spot.<\/p>\n
\u201cI 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,\u201d said Christopher Skeete, Quebec\u2019s minister of international affairs.<\/p>\n
They did not share any specific details on what continued collaboration would look like.<\/p>\n
The leaders said they say they will continue to work on issues they have deemed mutually beneficial when they get home.<\/p>\n
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