Over 20% of Surrey businesses have direct trade ties with the U.S., representing roughly $2.8 billion in cross-border commerce each year
SURREY Mayor Brenda Locke was joined by Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens on Thursday to announce she has joined forces with fellow leaders through the newly formed Border Mayors Alliance that aims to protect local economies and advocate for the interests of communities along the Canada-U.S. border. Dilkens launched the Alliance in light of the imminent threat posed by U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed 25% tariff on all Canadian imports.
“This urgent situation demands immediate and unified attention from all levels of government and across party lines with a Canada First approach,” said Locke. “With our city serving as the hub of British Columbia’s largest trucking industry, we play a critical role in facilitating cross-border trade. One of my priorities in the Border Mayors Alliance is to safeguard Surrey’s economic interests and the wellbeing of our local businesses, the bottom line is this would affect every city across the nation. The introduction of these tariffs threatens to disrupt vital supply chains, impacting cities and communities across the country.”
“This situation is ever-evolving, demanding immediate action to counteract the looming pressures on our economy,” said Dilkens, Chair of the Border Mayors Alliance. “There’s a reason that it’s called a ‘trade war’ – there are casualties on both sides. That’s why Canadian mayors of cities and towns along the Canada-U.S. border are united in this partnership that serves as a unified, national voice to safeguard our communities and offer a municipal perspective within our national discussion. As mayors of border cities and towns, we witness firsthand the interconnected prosperity our communities contribution to the national economy.”
As the largest Canadian trading partner of the U.S., Canada is poised to feel the immediate effects of these tariffs. More than 75% of Canadian exports are currently destined for American markets, and any disruption could cascade through local economies.
“As the only city in Western Canada with two land-border crossings with the United States, Surrey faces significant risk,” noted Locke. “Over 20% of Surrey businesses have direct trade ties with the United States, representing roughly $2.8 billion in cross-border commerce each year. If these tariffs go into effect, we could see hundreds of local jobs at risk, significantly impacting Surrey’s economy. While the Mayors Border Alliance is made up mainly of border cities, the ripple effects of these tariffs will resonate far beyond Surrey, threatening the affordability of essential goods and services for all Canadian cities, a burden that our citizens simply cannot bear.”
For Surrey, sectors such as manufacturing, forestry, and agriculture are particularly vulnerable, where affordable access to U.S. markets is crucial for business sustainability.
- Surrey is home to approximately 113 import / export businesses and 900 transportation
and warehousing firms that may experience spillover consequences from disruptions in
manufacturing and exporting activities.
- A recent Desjardins economic analysis highlights that subsectors heavily geared toward U.S. markets—primary metals, food and beverage, chemicals, machinery, and aerospace and parts—could face the steepest revenue declines if tariffs are imposed.
- Surrey has nearly 90 manufacturers across these five subsectors, collectively employing around 6,400 workers who could be affected.
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- Surrey’s manufacturing sector alone is significant, employing over 23,500 workers and encompassing more than 960 businesses.
- The food and beverage subsector, which includes approximately 50 companies such as top exporters Nanak Foods and Hardbite, is especially vulnerable.
“The Canada-U.S. relationship is one of the largest trade relationships in the world, with integrated supply chains, and supporting millions of jobs on both sides of the border,” said Dilkens. “In Windsor, the Automotive and Automobility Capital of Canada, over $320 million in goods flow across the Ambassador Bridge between Windsor and Detroit every day. In 2023, Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. produced over 16 million cars. Combined, Ontario and Michigan are responsible for approximately 22% of this output. Parts cross the border up to eight times before a car rolls off the line. The auto industry contributes $18 billion to Canada’s GDP, employs 128,000 Canadians, and is responsible for a total of 550,000 direct and indirect jobs. Through the Border Mayors Alliance, we will represent cities like Windsor and Surrey, and communities from coast to coast to protect our economic and development interests. We have already begun identifying alternative supply chains to mitigate immediate disruptions and we are working together to develop contingency strategies that put Canada first.”
The City of Surrey and Locke, and the City of Windsor and Dilkens will continue to collaborate closely with industry leaders, provincial and federal governments, and counterparts across the border to measure and mitigate the impacts of these tariffs.