How a century-old, Canada-U.S. collaboration keeps Niagara Falls shining bright — even in a trade war

No matter the tariffs, trade wars or political threats of the day, when the sun sets every night, Canada and America's shared Niagara Falls will continue to be lit up as one. 

"I hope it symbolizes that these two countries really do have so much in common, so much to share and that our mutual respect and admiration of the falls is a reflection of how we should really be with one another," Niagara Falls, N.Y., Mayor Robert Restaino told CBC Hamilton.

He and his across-the-river counterpart, Niagara Falls, Ont., Mayor Jim Diodati, are two of 18 members of the Niagara Falls Illumination Board. 

The century-old, Canadian-American collaboration ensures the continent's most powerful and iconic waterfalls are awash in bright, colour-changing lights 365 days of the year.

Together, Horseshoe Falls, on the Canadian side, and American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls make up the Niagara Falls. 

Following months of U.S. President Donald Trump's economic threats, jabs about making Canada a 51st state and the uncertainty it's all caused, Diodati said the cross-border community is feeling the strain. 

"We have so much history, so many intertwined relations and economics that when something like this happens, it's hurtful. It cuts," said Diodati. 

Fort Erie, Ont., Mayor Wayne Redekop said residents in the Niagara region are afraid what U.S. tariffs would mean for jobs and costs.

He spoke to Ramraajh Sharvendiran, host of CBC's Here and Now, earlier this week. He said there's about 600 businesses in the region that export to the U.S., employing 30,000 people, who could be impacted by Trump's tariffs. But they also have friends and family living nearby, on the other side of the border.

"More than anything, we don't want people to be pitted against each other," Redekop said. 

Watch | Niagara Falls, Ont., response to tariff threat:

Diodati told CBC Hamilton on Friday the message he's heard from from his American counterparts on the illumination board, and in other offices, has been resounding.

"This is not the American people, this is the president doing politics," he said.

"The lights will continue to shine brightly on the falls, and these two great nations will continue to be close friends and allies."