Cornwall, Ont. preparing for drop in cross-border traffic if Trump imposes tariffs [Video]

The mayor of Cornwall, Ont. says he’s preparing for a possible drop in traffic at the Canada-U.S. border if incoming president Donald Trump follows through with a threat to impose heavy tariffs on Canadian goods.

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Mayor Justin Towndale is among the officials and residents along the border who say the levy could have severe social and economic impacts for both countries.

Trump has vowed to place 25 per cent across-the-board tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico when he takes office next week. He has recently referred to Canada as the “51st state,” a notion many initially played off as a joke but now appear to be taking more seriously.

“Nobody’s looking to join the United States here,” Towndale said. “Nobody is looking to change our allegiance or put a different flag up or anything …