“New Yorkers shouldn’t live in fear because of actions of our president. They shouldn’t have to see food prices spike because of the president’s recklessness. and they shouldn’t have to consider Trump’s tariffs every time they want to turn up their thermostat.” Sen. Kristen Gillibrand
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand held a virtual press conference demanding President Donald Trump to forgo threats of increased tariffs on Canadian goods.
Gillibrand’s response comes after by Trump said Saturday he would impose a 100% tariff if Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney moves ahead with a trade deal with China to lower tariffs on imported electric vehicles.
She emphasized the negative impact that Trump’s tariff policies have on families across the country.
During his first year in office, Trump added tariffs on imports from 90 countries, including a 35% tax on certain Canadian goods and 10% on Canadian energy products.
“These tariffs already cost New York households about $4,200 last year. That’s money that could have gone to groceries or rent or gas,” Gillibrand said during the conference.
“It’s no wonder consumer sentiment has fallen to its lowest level in 12 years. Everyday Americans are being betrayed by this administration.”
She said New Yorkers are feeling that cost-of-living impact. Tariffs are increasing prices of household goods, food, electric and housing.
“At a time when prices are already high on everything from household goods to food to housing, working families simply can’t afford to pay more for what they need. This has to stop,” she said.
“New Yorkers shouldn’t live in fear because of actions of our president. They shouldn’t have to see food prices spike because of the president’s recklessness. and they shouldn’t have to consider Trump’s tariffs every time they want to turn up their thermostat.”
Gillibrand has opposed Trump’s tariffs policy since he took office. In 2025, she joined 14 legislators to introduce the Small Business RELIEF Act to end the tariff tax and refund duties to small businesses. She, along with 206 members of Congress, have sent a legal brief to the Supreme Court to emphasize the tariffs’ illegality.
North Country Chamber of Commerce President Garry Douglas said threats as a negotiation tactic continue to harm and feed uncertainty.
“Any idea of a 100% tariff on Canada is pretty clearly not going to happen,” he said. “The U.S. and Canada are so economically integrated, it would mean a massive blow to us nationally. But these periodic threats, even if a negotiating tactic, continue to do harm as they feed uncertainty, which, in turn, stifles investment, expansions and many business dealings that otherwise would be going forward.
“We encourage a quieter focus on negotiations in the context of the required review of USMCA (United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement) now underway, hopefully with a positive outcome by summer.”