Malpeque MP raises P.E.I. concerns in Washington amid tariff threats

Malpeque MP Heath MacDonald recently took P.E.I.'s concerns to U.S. politicians as Donald Trump's tariff threats loom.

He was part of a group of Canadian MPs who travelled to Washington, D.C., on an official trip to advocate for Atlantic Canada's interests with American politicians and business leaders.

MacDonald met with two U.S. senators and one congressman during the trip. He said he noticed a divide in their views on tariffs — while the two senators opposed them, the congressman, who's from Maine, was in favour.

"The conversation was, you know, very blunt on our behalf. I mean, that's why we're there, to put all the cards on the table, but to hear the responses was very interesting," the Malpeque MP told CBC's Island Morning.

After those discussions, MacDonald said he sensed some "buyer's remorse" from the congressman's office, given Maine's strong economic ties with Canada, particularly in the fishery industry.

MacDonald pointed out while Maine has about 15 seafood processing plants, Canada has close to 250. Much of Maine's lobster is processed in Canada before being sent back to the U.S.

"There's a concern that these tariffs are going to put exponential costs on obviously that product," he said. "So there's a little bit of buyer's remorse, so I think we're making some inroads, but it's still a long way to go," he said.

In addition to meeting with politicians, MacDonald also spoke with the Washington-based National Potato Council to highlight P.E.I.'s concerns.

Speaking with lawmakers is just one part of the strategy, he said. The key is ensuring their constituents and industries understand how tariffs will affect them.

"You can talk to senators and congressmen, legislators all day long, and it doesn't necessarily hurt them quite as much, but as soon as you start hurting their constituents, that's where we have to go, and I think that's the level that we need to capitalize on," he said.

"It's important to get to the grassroots."