Trump's tariffs and rhetoric strain historic Windsor-Detroit friendship

Summary

Consider This from NPR: Trump's Tariffs and Rhetoric Strain Historic Windsor-Detroit Friendship

Release Date: February 23, 2025

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Introduction

In this episode of NPR's "Consider This," host Don Gonyea explores the escalating tensions between the United States and Canada, particularly focusing on how former President Donald Trump's tariffs and provocative rhetoric are jeopardizing the long-standing and robust relationship between Windsor, Ontario, and Detroit, Michigan. This historic friendship, deeply rooted in economic collaboration and cultural exchange, now faces significant strain under the current political climate.

Historic Ties Between Windsor and Detroit

Windsor and Detroit share a unique bond, being sister cities divided by the Detroit River. Windsor, known as the auto parts capital of Canada, has an economy intricately linked to Detroit's Motor City. Government data highlights that Ontario supports over 100,000 automobile jobs alone, not including numerous ancillary positions. For decades, this symbiotic relationship has fostered a strong, friendly connection between the two communities.

Don Gonyea (00:00): "According to government data, Ontario has more than 100,000 automobile jobs, not counting the spin-off jobs, and the two populations have enjoyed a very friendly symbiotic relationship since way back before my time."

Impact of Trump's Policies and Rhetoric

The episode delves into the immediate and long-term impacts of Trump's policies, including the imposition of 25% tariffs on Canadian products crossing the border. More provocatively, Trump's rhetoric about potentially turning Canada into the 51st state has ignited fear and resentment among Windsor residents.

Mayor Drew Dilkens (07:38): "You know, it's just sort of preposterous, preposterous for us to think about this, that we're at this point in time and we're not even quite sure how we got there."

Economic Repercussions on Local Businesses

Local businesses that thrived on cross-border interactions are now grappling with uncertainty. Adriano Chotelli of Windsor Eats, an event planning business that included Detroit bar crawls, has had to pause these popular tours due to the deteriorating relations. These bar crawls were not only a cultural exchange but also essential for the economic sustenance of smaller Detroit bars.

Adriano Chotelli (06:56): "And it's unfortunate that, you know, in the grand scheme of things, it's little businesses like this that are going to be hurt."

Sense of Betrayal and Community Sentiment

The community in Windsor feels a profound sense of betrayal, likening the administration's actions to a personal backstab by a best friend. This sentiment is echoed by multiple Windsorites who perceive the tariffs and hostile rhetoric as direct attacks on their prosperity and cultural ties.

Adriano Chotelli (07:04): "It's kind of like when your best friend goes and stabs you in the back."

Official Responses and Symbolic Actions

Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens has taken tangible steps to signal his disapproval of the U.S. administration's stance. These include ending city subsidies for a commuter bus service to Detroit and withdrawing sponsorship for the annual Detroit Grand Prix. While these actions may seem minor, they represent a significant shift in the city's approach to its cross-border relationship.

Mayor Drew Dilkens (09:09): "And in true Canadian form, let me tell you, I apologize for having to do that. And I recognize it's a pebble in the ocean, like the rip, like I'm not changing the world by doing these two things right. But it's a signal."

Economic Threats and Industry Insights

The automotive industry, a cornerstone of both Windsor and Detroit's economies, is under threat. The chairman of Ford Motor Company has warned that the imposed tariffs could disrupt tight supply chains, potentially causing significant harm to the auto sector in both countries.

Don Gonyea (10:15): "Meanwhile, in a recent speech, the chairman of the Ford Motor Company warned that the threatened tariffs and their impact on tight supply chains would blow a hole in the auto industry that would affect both countries."

Community Resilience and Future Outlook

Despite the challenges, Windsorites express a determination to strengthen their community bonds in the face of adversity. The collective response aims to bolster solidarity and navigate the uncertain future shaped by geopolitical tensions and economic policies.

Mayor Drew Dilkens (10:36): "And none of us are foolish enough to think that the United States doesn't have the military might. If they want and choose to take over Canada, we'd put up a good fight. We'd probably lose. We know that. But the thought that that's where we are all of a sudden, with a snap of a finger, is abhorrent to us."

Conclusion

As the episode wraps up, it becomes clear that the Windsor-Detroit friendship is at a critical juncture. The combined pressures of economic sanctions and aggressive political rhetoric are testing the resilience of this historic relationship. The community's response, marked by both symbolic gestures and a steadfast commitment to mutual support, highlights the deep-seated value they place on their cross-border connections. Moving forward, the future of Windsor and Detroit's partnership remains uncertain, hinging on broader diplomatic developments and the ability of both communities to adapt to the evolving political landscape.

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Notable Quotes:

• Don Gonyea (00:00): "According to government data, Ontario has more than 100,000 automobile jobs, not counting the spin-off jobs, and the two populations have enjoyed a very friendly symbiotic relationship since way back before my time."

• Adriano Chotelli (07:04): "It's kind of like when your best friend goes and stabs you in the back."

• Mayor Drew Dilkens (09:09): "But it's a signal."

• Don Gonyea (10:15): "The threatened tariffs and their impact on tight supply chains would blow a hole in the auto industry that would affect both countries."

• Mayor Drew Dilkens (10:36): "The thought that that's where we are all of a sudden, with a snap of a finger, is abhorrent to us."

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Produced by Lauren Hodges and edited by Megan Pratz. Executive Producer: Sammy Yenigun.

Transcript

[Don Gonyea]

As a Detroit native and current resident of the city, I've had a front row seat to what Donald Trump's proposed tariffs are doing to US Relations with Canada, not to mention his recent comments about turning it into the 51st state. In fact, there may be no better real time example of the deterioration than the long standing bond between my hometown and and its neighbor across the river, Windsor, Ontario. As the auto parts capital of Canada, Windsor's economy and identity has for decades been linked to the Motor City. According to government data, Ontario has more than 100,000 automobile jobs, not counting the spin off jobs, and the two populations have enjoyed a very friendly symbiotic relationship since way back before my time. But consider this as Trump threatens to annex One of the U.S. s closest allies and hit products crossing the border with 25% tariffs, the historic harmony between these two sister cities is already starting to fray as Windsor residents deal with Trump's policies and rhetoric.

[Adriano Chotelli]

Foreign.

[Lauren Hodges]

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[N/A]

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[Don Gonyea]

It'S considered this from NPR. Whether they're speaking out publicly or just holding on a little tighter to their wallets, the Detroit Windsor Friendship is running as cold as the Detroit river this month. I wanted to pull at some of those unraveling threads, so I took NPR producer Lauren Hodges to Detroit's Riverside park under the Ambassador Bridge, where we could look across the Detroit river to Canada. Not even a half mile away, this.

[Drew Dilkens]

Is the busiest commercial border crossing in North America. The Ambassador Bridge is right there. To our right, a still under construction second span called the Gordie Howe International Bridge, named after Canadian native and Detroit hockey Great. Gordie Howe. And that bridge, to me, named after Howe, symbolizes the many connections between the U.S. and Canada and this narrow span that separates them. I grew up on the Detroit side watching Canadian television, listening to Canadian radio stations. Hockey night in Canada was a regular staple in our house. Friends on the Windsor side work in Detroit. Come over to watch Detroit Tigers or Detroit Lions games in person. Detroiters eat in their restaurants. Windsorites eat in our restaurants. It's just kind of amazing, the connections between the people of these two cities. All of this place kind of wrapped up in a single identity. Some of us Americans, some of us Canadians.

[Don Gonyea]

We then made the very short drive across the river and pulled out our passports at the border. At the checkpoint, we got the standard questions. Where are we headed? What's our business in Canada? Do we have any weapons in the car? Then the customs officer quickly turned into a concierge, giving us recommendations for lunch.

[Lauren Hodges]

What's the restaurant called?

[N/A]

Twisted Apron.

[Lauren Hodges]

Closes at three. Thank you so much.

[Don Gonyea]

All right, thanks.

[Drew Dilkens]

Welcome to Canada.

[Don Gonyea]

Have you ever had a border crossing experience like that?

[Lauren Hodges]

I really, really haven't.

[Don Gonyea]

And that kind of hospitality isn't just on the Canadian side. In fact, there's a pretty famous bus tour run by a local Windsor business that takes Canadians into Detroit for an hours long bar crawl.

[N/A]

We're taking you on a boozy adventure through the grittiest, most iconic dive bars the Motor City has to offer. You'll hop on the most epic party bus of your life, where the good times roll and the karaoke never stops. Between bars, you and your crew will be belting out your favorite tunes and living it up like rock stars. These tours are legendary and sell out faster than you can say cheers. So do you have your passport ready?

[Don Gonyea]

That voice is Adriano Chotelli, who runs Windsor Eats, an event planning business that highlights local food and activities around Windsor. But he says Detroit was always included.

[Adriano Chotelli]

Visiting sporting games, events, concerts. That's almost a rite of passage for a lot of Windsorites to kind of jump on the tunnel bus, head over, get dropped off on Detroit, and just wander around and just enjoy a day or two or a weekend in Detroit.

[Don Gonyea]

And while it's been an extremely popular piece of his business, usually selling out even in the colder months, he's also aware that the tours really help out some of those smaller bars on the Detroit side.

[Adriano Chotelli]

There's another one in Hamtramck which would reach out to us after every tour and essentially tell us, you know, you made us able to keep our lights on at the End of the month, they were so thankful every time that we would visit them.

[Don Gonyea]

But since Donald Trump's reelection and all the rhetoric that's been hurled at Canada, I think they have to become the 51st state. Windsor eats made the tough decision to pause the beloved Detroit bar crawl.

[Adriano Chotelli]

And it's unfortunate that, you know, in the grand scheme of things, it's little businesses like this that are. And people that are going to be hurt.

[Don Gonyea]

Chatelli calls what the US Administration is doing a very personal attack.

[Adriano Chotelli]

It's kind of like when your best friend goes and stabs you in the back.

[Don Gonyea]

It's a common thread among Windsorites we interviewed. A sense of betrayal. And though the potential tariffs are the more immediate and economic threat, as Trump lays out here, Canada, you know they're gonna have to pay tariffs on automobiles, lumber and oil and gas, et cetera, et cetera. It's Trump's repeated talk of Canada as the 51st state that really seems to rile people up the most.

[N/A]

You know, it's just sort of preposterous, preposterous for us to think about this, that we're at this point in time and we're not even quite sure how we got there.

[Don Gonyea]

That's Windsor Mayor Drew Dillkins. We drove to his office at City hall downtown, where we saw many flags in red and white with the iconic maple leaf hanging from apartment balconies and local businesses. Dilkins is also a big fan of the Tigers and the Lions, and just like many Windsor natives, has many fond memories of traveling into the US to cheer on Detroit sports and remember when Canadian hockey fans booed the US national anthem at an NHL game in Montreal this month. Then a few nights ago, US Fans in Boston reciprocated by booing the singing of O Canada. Mayor Dilkens is saddened by all of it. But even as he has taken steps, official ones, to make a statement, he ended city subsidies for a transit service that helps fund an hourly commuter bus to Detroit for his constituents.

[N/A]

I just can't act as an economic engine to Detroit at a time when we're being economically threatened by the President of the United States. Just can't get my mind around it.

[Don Gonyea]

And one more thing got sacrificed. As relations started to ice over, the mayor pulled the city's sponsorship of the annual Detroit Grand Prix.

[N/A]

And in true Canadian form, let me tell you, I apologize for having to do that. And I recognize it's a pebble in the ocean, like the rip, like I'm not changing the world by doing these two things right. But it's a signal.

[Don Gonyea]

Dilkins knows that stuff like canceling bus lines and sponsorships might seem small.

[N/A]

I don't have any other arrows in the quiver, right? I have nothing else I can fire back. I have nothing else I can do. I have no other way except using my voice to express my dissatisfaction and my. My feeling about this.

[Don Gonyea]

A sign of more than just hurt feelings. He says he's even heard rhetoric accusing Canada of taking advantage of the US Specifically within the auto industry. And he has a passionate response to that as well.

[N/A]

No, we've built it together. We have built this thing together. When Chrysler announces they're building a new car factory in Detroit, like, we would light fireworks off here because we think that's amazing for our region. Just as you should celebrate when we build a $6 billion battery factory that raises your boat as well in the United States. It's great for everybody.

[Don Gonyea]

Meanwhile, in a recent speech, the chairman of the Ford Motor Company warned that the threatened tariffs and their impact on tight supply chains would blow a hole in the auto industry that would affect both countries. Mayor Dilkins, meanwhile, says it's more than pride that it's all very scary.

[N/A]

And none of us are foolish enough to think that the United States doesn't have the military might. If they want and choose to take over Canada, we'd put up a good fight. We'd probably lose. We know that. But the thought that that's where we are all of a sudden, with a snap of a finger, is abhorrent to us. You have to understand Canadians like they'll just become more. It's a rallying cry to pull together even tighter.

[Don Gonyea]

So as evening approaches, we head back over the river and into Detroit. Our next stop is one of the dive bars from the canceled tour. Then we get a text.

[Lauren Hodges]

Oh, it's her.

[Don Gonyea]

It's the bar owner. She won't be there. In fact, she says they're not open much anymore these days. This episode was produced by Lauren Hodges and edited by Megan Pratz. Our executive producer is Sammy Yenigun. It's consider this from npr. I'm Don Gonyea.

[Lauren Hodges]

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[N/A]

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[Lauren Hodges]

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