At his marina in Sackets Harbor, N.Y., Mayor Alex Morgia admires the view of the lake, noting how even on cloudy days, the sun can create stunning sunsets with colorful hues reflecting off the clouds. Sackets Harbor, situated on Lake Ontario’s eastern shore near the Canadian border, is now embroiled in a dispute over tariffs and President Donald Trump’s proposal to rename the lake “Lake America.”
The mayor mentions that the harbor was referenced in Trump’s executive order and highlights the village’s historical significance as a battleground during the War of 1812. Residents often find cannonballs in their yards, repurposing them as doorstops.
While Morgia downplays the support for renaming the lake, he, along with other residents and officials in upstate New York, expresses concerns about the escalating tensions jeopardizing the close ties with Canada, which are vital for their communities’ well-being.
North of Sackets Harbor, Corey Fram, the director of the Thousand Islands Regional Tourism Development Corporation, laments the decline in Canadian spending and border crossings since Trump’s reelection, affecting both sides of the border. He stresses the impact on border communities, feeling they bear the brunt of economic strategies that may benefit the countries but harm local economies.
Similarly, Anthony Adamczyk, executive director of the Ogdensburg Bridge and Port Authority, notes a significant drop in traffic from Canada, leading to a decline in toll revenue. Fram worries that the reduced Canadian tourist numbers may become permanent, echoing past crises that permanently affected border crossings.
Residents in Ogdensburg and Sackets Harbor, residing in counties previously won by Trump, hold diverse views on the ongoing trade disputes. Some support Trump’s tactics as a means of fair trade, while others criticize the impact on their daily lives, such as rising costs and disrupted economic activities.
Republican assemblyman Scott Gray, representing the affected areas, emphasizes the need for fair trade negotiations without harming local residents or Canadians. He acknowledges the challenges posed by tariffs and counter-tariffs and calls for a constructive approach to resolve trade issues without escalating tensions.
Mayor Morgia questions when the U.S. government will ease tensions with Canada, expressing solidarity with Canadian calls for Americans to influence their leaders to foster better relations. He anticipates potential changes after the midterm elections, hoping for a shift that could lead to improved diplomatic relations.