On Tariffs, Granite Staters Deserve Results, Not Stunts
- Amplify NH
- Sep 21
- 3 min read
Last week, as Granite State consumers and small businesses continue to grapple with rising prices and economic instability caused by President Trump’s tariffs, Governor Kelly Ayotte headed to Canada on a four day trade mission.
However, this trip seemingly served as a continuation of Ayotte’s inability to acknowledge the severity and harm of Trump’s tariffs on New Hampshire, continuing a documented pattern of inaction. Let’s take a look:
Ayotte’s Pattern of Failing to Address Trump Trade War’s Potential Economic Impact on NH
Since the start of Trump’s tariff chaos, Ayotte has continuously failed to address how she will protect New Hampshire businesses, workers, or consumers from the Trump Trade War with Canada, despite that it threatens to increase the cost of home heating oil, raise grocery prices, and put NH jobs at risk.
During her recent trade mission, Ayotte chose to ignore the elephant in the room when discussing trade with Canadian officials, instead deflecting.
“We all agreed that we hoped that the tariff issues get resolved soon but regardless we have deep and lasting economic and personal relationships that we are going to make even stronger together,” Ayotte said in an interview. “I am confident it will get resolved at some point here, but all the talk wasn’t about barriers but about opportunities.”
New Hampshire exports $1.4B in goods to Canada, resulting in 182,000 New Hampshire jobs. With exports to Canada making up nearly 19% of all New Hampshire exports, how does Ayotte plan to make up for the revenue shortfall created by reduced trade? Will there be supplemental funding support for exporters through the Department of Business and Economic Affairs (BEA)? Will the state be expanding energy assistance programs to make up for higher energy import costs to low-income individuals? All questions still left unanswered by this trade mission.
And it stands to be recognized that Ayotte is also seemingly just acknowledging what is at stake with New Hampshire’s relationship with Canada.
Earlier this year, while proposed tariffs on Canada threaten the livelihood of New Hampshire consumers and businesses, Kelly Ayotte has opted to sit idly by rather than take any action. When five of the six New England governors signed onto a letter inviting the premiers of six Canadian provinces to a summit to discuss the tariffs, as well as how to preserve strong trade relationships, despite being invited to participate, Ayotte declined, making her the only New England governor not to take part.
And this choice to abstain from the letter and meeting follow Ayotte’s prior acknowledgment of the serious consequences of any barriers to trade with Canada.
Despite knowing the threats posed by the tariffs, Ayotte seems willing to take a passive stance rather than stand up for New Hampshire industries’ best interests. Just another example of Ayotte cowering away from taking a stand.
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Thank you,
Emma Carroll
Digital Director, Amplify NH