BPRI

Dive deeper into the region's economic interconnections and the effects that tariffs, rhetoric threatening Canadian sovereignty, and the ongoing trade war between the US and Canada are having on WA border communities, please see BPRI's newest Border Policy Brief👇
cedar.wwu.edu/bpri_publica...

Cascadia has long been considered a model of strong cross-border collaboration, however, it is not immune to policy shifts or emerging challenges that could disrupt its long-standing relationships.

Please join us as Laurie Trautman, Ginny Broadhurst, @sharonshewmake.bsky.social, @uscanada-sands.bsky.social and Derek Moscato discuss how increased tensions are impacting our cross-border region
and the efforts to overcome them.

When: Online, June 11 at 4pm PT

foundation.wwu.edu/event/trust-...

We've been hearing about drops in Canadians crossing the border in the Cascade Gateway in 2025. The data tells us that we're seeing a significant drop in SB Canadian travelers so far.

This has numerous implications for our local border communities.

Take a look at BPRI's newest infographic below 👇

BPRI and the Bellingham Regional Chamber of Commerce would like to track tariff impacts in our local community.

This survey is directed at businesses in Whatcom County to assess perceptions of tariffs, trade irritants, and changes to cross-border travel.
👇
wwu.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...

Upcoming World Issues Forum talk: The Island of Ireland after Brexit. Follow the link for more details 👇https://foundation.wwu.edu/event/island-ireland-after-brexit

@bpri.bsky.social director Dr. Laurie Trautman and CFR’s Edward Alden speaking about their new book at Village Books! @edwardalden.bsky.social

cross-border electricity between Canada and the US

If the trade war continues - and for how long - remains tbd. But the fact is- Americans flipping the lights on is connected to electricity production in a Canada. Border states and provinces are interconnected. This uncertainty impacts every aspect of daily life for many on both sides of the border.

In Quebec, premier François Legault did not exclude the option to cut off power as a response to the tariffs, a decision that would impact the equivalent of 1.23 million of US homes.

Ontario, which powered the equivalent of 1.29 million US homes in 2023, premier Doug Ford said that if #tariffs persist, he will impose a 25% surcharge on electricity exported to three US states - Michigan, New York and Minnesota - and is willing to fully shut down power lines going to the US.

Canada's #counter-tariffs response does not, at the moment, include export #tariffs on #energy. However, that doesn't mean there won't be impacts. The premiers of the two provinces supplying most of the electricity exported to the US are considering all options - including shutting off the power.

Every day, electricity crosses the #Canada-US #border. In 2023, Canada provided power equal to electricity consumption by 4.58 million homes. On Tuesday, Trump imposed a 10% tariff on energy imports from Canada, which will most likely translate to higher utility bills for these millions of home.

Not only that, but immediate direct and indirect impacts from #tariffs may also lower Boeing’s attractiveness, and in the longer run, give an advantage to its competitors, most notably Airbus, leading to potential additional job and revenue losses for Washington state and Quebec.

But tariffs impacts may also be indirect for the #aerospace industry: lower demand for travel especially from Canadians (whether as protest to the tariffs or due to lower value of the CAD) could impact orders, which in turn may limit future research and development opportunities.

Now with 25% #tariffs - and counter tariffs - this industry will face direct consequences. Additional tariffs on #steel and #aluminum as soon as next week will also compound price increases.

The third installment from our #BPRI #Trade infographic series focuses on #aerospace.

In Seattle & Montreal aerospace leads to economic growth and innovation. Just like cars in the Detroit-Windsor region, planes and parts are traded between us and allow us to travel around the world.

Here is our next infographic trying to provide some context for how the #tariffs and counter-tariffs might impact Washington's economy (and you if you like our craft brews!)

Very proud to see BPRI’s expertise contribute to this @apnews.com story on the regional implications of #tariffs in our various #borderland communities. @wwu.edu

infographic with facts and figures about raspberry trade in Washington

With what appears to be imminent #tariffs - and counter tariffs - there are some place-specific ways that we'll feel the squeeze. Here in the NW corner of Washington, raspberries are one of them. #BPRI will be releasing a series of these infographics to put some context to the numbers for #Cascadia

BPRI was happy to contribute to this upcoming edited volume, and it couldn't be more timely. BPRI specifically looked at #cross-#border regions along the CA-US border to contend that governance is at its strongest and most innovative at the #regional scale.

Borderlands anxiety prompts wider reflection on bioregionalism Commentary: Political shifts necessitate broader economic and environmental reflection in our cross-border region.

Great piece by #WWU #Journalism Professor Dr. Derek Moscato in the Salish Current.

Our region is a model for how two nations can work together to advance shared interests. It's at risk with recent wall- building measures at the border.

Check out Dr. Trautman and @edwardalden.bsky.social alden.bsky.social's most recent Op-Ed in the
@seattletimes-rss.bsky.social to learn more.

Some tariff concessions from Canada and Mexico touted by Trump lack substance, experts say Analysts, including conservative commentators, note that some policies America’s neighbors promised to avoid trade duties were already in the works.

In this NBC article, Dr. Trautman argues that the US is losing much more than we gain from all the chaos of threatening our strongest trade partners with #tariffs.

www.nbcnews.com/business/bus...

If you're interested in Border Policy in #Cascadia, join our list serve and follow our work!

bpri.wwu.edu

You can find Dr. Laurie Trautman & Jennifer Bettis on LinkedIn as well for more in-depth border policy analysis.

www.linkedin.com/in/laurie-tr...

www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferb...

#BPRI will be paying close attention to how broader bi-national issues between #Canada and the #US are impacting our region - including cross-border shopping, business investment, and collaboration with our neighbors in #BC.

As is the case with many international conflicts, #border #regions in particular are vulnerable to these shocks, and often have to deal with the collateral damage.

bpri.wwu.edu

While the immediate threat of a #trade war is paused, there are numerous spillover effects that impact our social and #economic ties across the #border.

bpri.wwu.edu

Really looking forward to this!

Recommended reading 👇

Canada commits $1.3B to tighten border security after Trump tariff threat | Watch News Videos Online Watch Canada commits $1.3B to tighten border security after Trump tariff threat Video Online, on GlobalNews.ca

BPRI's Laurie Trautman weighed into the national conversation regarding Canada’s announcement today to invest over $1 billion on border security to address a wide range of issues.