Sen. Jeanne Shaheen used a Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing to argue that the Trump administration\u2019s rhetoric toward Canada is directly hurting New Hampshire businesses, pressing Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on falling Canadian tourism and the economic cost of turning a top trading partner into a political target.<\/p>\n
\u201cHow does insulting our closest ally and neighbor help the businesses in my state and states all across this country who are hurting because of the loss of Canadian business and tourism?\u201d she asked Lutnick. He did not dispute the strain on cross-border commerce, but answered with a broader administration view of leverage, saying, \u201cCanada\u2019s economy leans on the incredible $30 trillion economy of America.\u201d<\/p>\n
When Shaheen pressed the tourism angle again, saying, \u201cWe have all those Canadian visitors who are not coming because of your comments and comments by the administration. How does that help our economy?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is outrageous that Canada will not put U.S. spirits on the shelf. It is insulting and disrespectful to America,\u201d Lutnick pivoted, to which Shaheen replied \u201cAnd they won\u2019t do it because of the insults from this president and comments like yours.\u201d<\/p>\n
Shaheen: “How does insulting our closest ally and neighbor help the businesses\u2026all across this country that are hurting because of the loss of Canadian business and tourism?”<\/p>\n
Lutnick: “Canada’s economy leans on the incredible $30 trillion economy of America.”<\/p>\n
Shaheen: “We have\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/jWWi1rIiVa<\/a><\/p>\n