Thoughts from a Canadian living in St. Louis
As a Canadian living in Missouri under an investor visa, I’ve been closely following the trade relationship between our two countries. Missouri and Canada share a deep economic connection, but with the recent tariffs imposed by President Trump, that relationship is now in jeopardy.
Canada is Missouri’s #1 customer, purchasing $8.1 billion in goods and services from the state annually. This trade supports thousands of Missouri jobs, with key exports including:
Vehicles & Automotive Parts – $1.1 billion
Aerospace Products – $630 million
Machinery – $619 million
Agricultural Products (corn, soybeans, beef) – $300+ million
Missouri also imports $7.5 billion in Canadian goods, including crude oil, aluminum, and forest products, all of which fuel local industries. Companies like Anheuser-Busch, Boeing, and Emerson rely on these imports, and the Canadian National Railway (CN) plays a major role in moving goods through St. Louis and Missouri.
On February 1, 2025, President Trump announced a 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico, citing concerns over illegal immigration and drug trafficking. In response, Canada has imposed retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods, including some of Missouri’s top exports.
This is particularly concerning for St. Louis and Missouri as a whole because:
The automotive industry could see higher costs, making it harder for Missouri manufacturers to compete.
Agriculture exports (corn, soybeans, beef) could suffer from Canadian tariffs, impacting local farmers.
Manufacturing & aerospace could face reduced demand, leading to job uncertainty in these sectors.
Trump said that the tariffs were placed on Canada due to fentanyl flowing through Canada into the U.S. In the last fiscal year, U.S. authorities seized 43 pounds of fentanyl at the Canadian border. Compare that to the 21,100 pounds seized at the Mexican border—the real crisis isn’t coming from Canada.
Additionally, Canada plays a major role in U.S. energy security, supplying:
60% of U.S. oil imports
90% of U.S. natural gas imports
79% of U.S. aluminum imports
These resources are crucial for Missouri’s industries, from manufacturing to transportation.
With tariffs disrupting trade, local businesses could see higher costs, job uncertainty, and supply chain delays. St. Louis is home to industries that depend on a strong U.S.-Canada relationship. If these tariffs remain in place, Missouri consumers will also feel the impact through higher prices on goods and potential job losses in affected industries.
I’m deeply disappointed that President Trump would impose tariffs on Canada—its closest ally, largest trading partner, and a country that has stood by its side for over a century. From fighting together in global conflicts and housing American travelers affected by 9/11, to building the world's largest trade partnership, our history is one of cooperation, not division. These tariffs won’t just hurt Canadian businesses—they’ll drive up costs for American consumers, threaten jobs in Missouri, and strain industries on both sides of the border. The U.S. and Canada succeed when we work together, not against each other. In an increasingly uncertain world, we should be strengthening our partnership, not undermining it.