North Dakota trade official and a Fargo truck driver who hauls imports discuss tariff threat

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — “Canada is not the problem and we’re the United States the Trump administration has picked a fight with our neighbors that wasn’t necessary,” said Vern Thompson, Thompson Transport LLC.

Thompson, a Fargo truck driver, drives frequently from North Dakota through the Canadian border. Today it took him an hour and a half.

“Today it was the long process for spot-checking. And it wasn’t every vehicle, it was every three or four. I just happened to be one of them. No one would tell anybody what was going on and explain why they were in called into the office,” said Thompson.

Canada and North Dakota have worked closely in the trading sector. With seventy-five percent of North Dakota’s foreign products coming from Canada.

“It’s a little bit fluid right now and things seem to be changing almost every hour. You know if it’s on again off again. But there is a concern, especially with North Dakota and our relationship with Canada,” said Drew Combs, Executive Director of the North Dakota Trade Office.

Many of the items that come from Canada include alcohol, gas, lumber, steel, and other items. Currently, Combs and his team say they are working to make sure they are able to avoid the tariffs from taking place.

The tariffs against Mexico and Canada are paused for 30 days pending negotiations.