On January 31, the Associated Equipment Distributors (AED) delivered letters to both U.S. President Donald J. Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, urging both nations to refrain from imposing tariffs on imported goods from each country.

President Trump has indicated that he will place 25 percent tariffs on Canadian imports on February 1 and Prime Minister Trudeau has threatened to retaliate. In the correspondence, AED’s President & CEO Brian P. McGuire reiterated the importance of the U.S.-Canadian strong cross-border relationship and the integrated nature of our economies.

“The equipment sector is by nature, an international industry, and there’s no stronger bond than that between the United States and Canada,” McGuire wrote to both leaders. "AED encourages greater collaboration and cooperation that results in shared prosperity without imposing harmful tariffs detrimental to both countries.”

Outreach to American President

The letter sent to President Trump from Brian P. McGuire, President and CEO of AED, said this:

I am writing on behalf of Associated Equipment Distributors and our members to urge you to maintain the strong cross-border trade relationship with our most important trading partner—Canada.

AED is the international trade association representing companies that sell, rent, service and manufacture construction, farm, mining, energy, forestry and industrial equipment. Our members include American and Canadian companies, many of whom conduct business on both sides of the border.

We look forward to working with you to implement your American First agenda, including making permanent the Tax Cuts & Jobs Act, unleashing domestic energy production, and regulatory reform.

However, the equipment sector is by nature, an international industry, and there’s no stronger bond than that between the United States and Canada. Consequently, we encourage you to reconsider placing tariffs on imported goods from Canada.

The United States and Canadian economies are closely integrated and indiscriminate tariffs on all Canadian imports would have harmful repercussions for U.S. consumers and companies. Expected retaliatory measures would further exacerbate the situation.

Preventing illegal immigration and illicit drugs from entering the United States through the northern border is necessary and, thanks to your leadership, the Canadian government has indicated a willingness to work together on these issues. We encourage greater collaboration and cooperation that results in shared prosperity without imposing harmful tariffs detrimental to both countries.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Outreach to Canada

The letter sent to Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau said this:

I am writing on behalf of Associated Equipment Distributors and our members to urge you to maintain the strong cross-border trade relationship with our most important trading partner—the United States.

AED is the international trade association representing companies that sell, rent, service and manufacture construction, farm, mining, energy, forestry and industrial equipment. Our members include American and Canadian companies, many of whom conduct business on both sides of the border.

We have written President Trump to stress that the heavy equipment sector is by nature, an international industry, and there’s no stronger bond than that between the United States and Canada. Consequently, we have encouraged President Trump and his administration officials to reconsider placing tariffs on imported goods from Canada.

We are stressing to the Trump administration and congressional leaders in Washington that the United States and Canadian economies are closely integrated and indiscriminate tariffs on all Canadian imports would have harmful repercussions for U.S. consumers and companies. Retaliatory measures would further exacerbate the situation.

We know you and all the Premiers are encouraging greater collaboration and cooperation with the United States as a better path toward shared prosperity without imposing harmful tariffs detrimental to both countries.