Canadian Protest Hampers International Business
A protest by Canadians on the border of Canada and the United States has snarled trade between the two countries.
What’s happening: A group of Canadian protesters has blocked access to the Ambassador Bridge—a major thoroughfare for the transport of goods between Detroit and the Canadian city of Windsor—snarling traffic and bringing freight transportation to a standstill.
Why it matters: Canada is the United States’ largest goods trading partner, but these supply challenges threaten to undermine commercial ties between the two countries. The Ambassador Bridge is the single busiest international land border crossing in North America—responsible for about 27% of total two-way trade between the U.S. and Canada.
The impact: The protest has created issues for manufacturers in a range of sectors, including autos, steel, food, health care and others, stranding products and supplies. Related industries and downstream businesses that support and supply impacted businesses are also feeling the pinch—and the longer the protest continues, the more damaging it will become.
Growing issues: The protest has already been going on for multiple days, causing significant supply chain disruptions for manufacturers in the United States. While the main focus is around the Ambassador Bridge, there are also similar protests taking place elsewhere along the border between the United States and Canada.
What we’re saying: “The longer the disruption to trade at the U.S.–Canadian border continues, the worse the impact will be on manufacturers in the United States and across the region,” said NAM Vice President of International Economic Affairs Ken Monahan. “Manufacturers will continue to work tirelessly to ease ongoing supply chain challenges in North America and globally.”
Learn more: The NAM, U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Business Roundtable released a full statement here.