MP Mark Gerretsen challenges US tariff threats, defends Canada’s role in border security

‘Unity is hard to break,’ despite tariff threats

We caught up with Kingston and the Islands MP Mark Gerretsen, and asked him about his thoughts on the current state of Canada-US relations, especially in the wake of the threat of tariffs by both nations. 

The MP says he understands how Canadians are feeling. 

At the heart of the issue are those tariffs, that were taken off the table for 30 days after Canada promised to beef up the border and put a Fentanyl Czar in place to stop any of the poisonous drug from entering the US from Canada. Gerretsen questioned that motive. 

Gerretsen also says Trumps Claims are not true. He notes that less than 1% of the drug that enters the US comes from Canada and less than 1% of illegal migrants that land in the States come from Canada. 

The MP does point to history and the strong relationship with our neighbours to the south and helps whenever we can, citing our help during 9-11 and getting hostages out of Iran as historic examples. Gerretsen says that will continue. 

Gerretsen says the national unity that the situation has created has been good to witness, adding that kind of unity is hard to break, whatever the future may hold.