Approximately $400 million in traded goods cross the Windsor-Detroit border every day.
President Donald Trump meets Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in the Oval Office of the White House, Tuesday, May 6, 2025, in Washington. Photo by Evan Vucci /AP While Trump leans into what some see as political theatre, Dilkens said the real focus should be on securing a long-term agreement. Windsors mayor supports the federal governments approach.
Well have the back of Windsorites and make sure we can get through this difficult time, Dilkens said. I still feel very optimistic about the future of the community and all of the things that we can control.
Were doing our best to continue to grow the community and make sure that were ready to prosper on the other side of this.
The uncertainty triggered by the tariffs could also cast more of a shadow over Windsors tourism and hospitality industry, according Gordon Orr, head of both Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island and Invest WindsorEssex.
With tourism considered a discretionary expense, he warns that even the perception of economic instability can lead families to tighten their budgets and vacations are often the first thing cut.
Theres no silver lining to this, without question, Orr told the Star. It just prolongs the uncertainty of it all and adds to the confusion in the marketplace.
People will spend less money when they are uncertain about their job and the economy.
And although Canadians have embraced a sense of patriotism, he noted even that loyalty may be tempered by financial anxiety.
They may not spend as much as they would under more stable conditions, Orr said.
Trump has repeatedly delayed his tariff deadlines but his trade agenda saw some successes in the leadup to Fridays deadline. This week, he announced deals with the European Union, South Korea and Pakistan although many details of the agreements remain unclear.
