By KEVIN MCCABE
When House Joint Resolution 11 first came to the Alaska Legislature, it looked like a straightforward recognition of our long, important relationship with Canada — a relationship built on shared borders, economic ties, and mutual reliance. But as we dug into the resolution, two big problems jumped out.
First, why was the Alaska Legislature inserting itself into a federal trade dispute between Canada and the Trump administration?
Second, we were concerned that the resolution would be taken as a slap at the President’s trade policies — policies aimed at protecting American jobs and industries. Whether you agree with his approach or not, the President’s job was to fight for better deals for the country, and Alaska didn’t need to get in the way of that.
Still, HJR11 had momentum. It was clear the resolution would pass, and simply opposing it wouldn’t accomplish anything. So, we took a different route. We amended the resolution to protect Alaska’s interests and give President Trump more leverage in his negotiations with Canada. Two of our amendments passed unanimously — though some social media posts and news articles conveniently left those out of their reports.
HJR11 correctly pointed out Alaska’s deep economic ties to Canada: $596 million in annual exports, $753 million in imports, and over 20,000 Alaskan jobs connected to this partnership. It acknowledged the Alaska-Canada Highway, the Alaska Marine Highway, and cross-border communities like Stewart, BC, and Hyder, Alaska, as vital parts of that relationship. These are facts no one disputes.
But then the resolution veered off track. It acknowledged Canada’s high tariffs on U.S. goods, which led to counter-tariffs imposed by the Trump administration — but then warned these tariffs could “threaten this unique, mutually beneficial relationship.” Those Trump tariffs weren’t just random penalties — they were part of a larger strategy to renegotiate outdated trade deals that hurt American businesses and workers. That strategy worked. The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) was replaced with the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), a better, fairer deal for the U.S.
The Alaska Legislature had no business taking a position against that strategy. Trade policy is a federal issue. By criticizing the President’s approach, HJR11 risked making Alaska look like it was siding with Canada over our own federal government. Worse, it could send the wrong message to Washington at a time when we need support for infrastructure, resource development, and other critical priorities.
Knowing HJR11 was going to pass, our idea was to flip the script and make it something Trump could use. We added an amendment that shifted the focus from criticizing tariffs to defending Alaska’s essential transportation links and economic interests. The amendment specifically highlighted the Alaska-Canada Highway’s role in connecting Alaskans to the Lower 48 and raised a critical concern: what happens if Canada retaliates by closing roads?
We didn’t pull this idea from thin air. Canada has a history of using road closures to make a political point, and the last thing Alaska needs is to be cut off from the rest of the country because of a trade fight we didn’t start. Our amendment also pointed to the Shakwak road project — a Canadian infrastructure project funded in part by Alaska. Millions of Alaskan dollars are still tied up in that project. We made it clear: if Canada blocks roads and hurts Alaska, we’re prepared to rethink that funding. Alaska’s money shouldn’t bankroll infrastructure in a country that’s willing to shut down our access for political leverage. Canada is our friend, but even friends occasionally need a reminder of your value.
The amendment passed without a single objection — a win for Alaska and Trump. But, predictably, some skipped over that part when they posted and wrote about the resolution later. They made it sound like the original version passed untouched. Maybe they didn’t understand what we did, maybe they didn’t want to acknowledge it, or maybe they just don’t see the strategy. Either way, the record speaks for itself. We turned a flawed resolution into one that protects Alaskans, strengthens our position in any future trade disputes, and takes Alaska away from Canada as a card they can use against President Trump.
Look, we all had our reasons for voting how we did. We’re not here to drag anyone through the mud. But we stand by our decision. Alaska’s Legislature shouldn’t be in the business of undermining the President while he’s working to secure better trade deals for the entire country.
In the end, HJR11 started as a feel-good resolution that wandered into anti-Trump territory. We rewrote it into something that defends Alaska’s economy, reminds Canada of our leverage, and supports the President’s efforts to negotiate a better deal. Alaska has always valued its partnership with Canada, and that won’t change. But our job — first and foremost — is to protect Alaskans. Our amendments to HJR11 ensure Alaska won’t be a bargaining chip in someone else’s trade war.
Rep. Kevin McCabe is a legislator from Big Lake, Alaska.
The language in the resolution is pretty clear, Kev. This is complete capitulation to Canada and a slap in the face to Trump. You cannot put lipstick on this pig with that little clause you added. You all fell into the Democrats’ trap and now you’re suffering from cognitive bias. Kopp is laughing his ash off.
If you can’t say President Trump’s decision on this isn’t bad for the US, but especially Alaska, you won’t be able to say anything he does, ever, is bad. That’s blind allegiance and is not a conservative principle.
It is now, Jeremiah, it is now.
Maybe the legislature (yes, that includes you Rep. McCabe) should worry about its own incompetence before opining on somebody else’s.
Considering what an incredibly dysfunctional and inept group the AK legislature is (yes, that includes ALL of you Rep McCabe) I doubt there will be much consideration given to the resolution.
Now, let’s be very clear about this. This childish resolution does not “turn a flawed resolution into one that protects Alaskans, strengthens our position in any future trade disputes, and takes Alaska away from Canada as a card they can use against President Trump.” Likewise, it does not “ensure Alaska won’t be a bargaining chip in someone else’s trade war.” You and your associates wrote a piece of paper that has absolutely zero influence. It is a freaking resolution. A freaking Hallmark birthday carries the same amount of legal influence
All of you in Juneau need to stop pretending you are more important than you are and focus on what you are supposed to do…but you won’t
Kevin, wrong.
Canada places enormous tariffs on everything we sell to them.
Enough is enough.
The time is now to DEMAND an equal playing field with our trading partners.
It’s time for you to go – we need fresh leadership that isn’t part of the UniParty.
I’m getting McConnell, Schumer, Pelosi dinosaur vibes from you – shove off please.
Resolutions are relatively meaningless. This was total grifting by Allard. she wrote her X post and attacked her team for pure ego. notice on X how she tagged all the Trump crowd to try and make herself a hero. She is the epitome of why Republicans cant have nice things. what a piece of work. I will never vote for her again. I thought she was conservative. now I see she is just a self serving pimple.
I’ll go a step further and call on the women Republican clubs to never give her another penny. Her attack on fellow caucus members is vile and embarrassing. The house and senate majorities are hiding the budget schedule, this bill had 3-4 republicans already signed on (it was going to pass anyway,) she couldn’t make an effort to do an amendment. She couldn’t make the effort to speak against it on the floor. She can’t get her self to her finance committee meetings yet she can type an attack on X. Shameful work, shameful representation.
In reality, the resolution means nothing. More wasted time. Just dogs barking in the back yard. The budget will still be passed only in overtime and be a C– result. As usual.
McCabe, are you a cukservative?
You know, a gutless wonder that kowtows to the Commie Leftist? Are you merely a better disciplined socialist than the Commies?
Think about it Pal, and please respond in a paragraph, not your usual War and Peace explanations.
An admirable attempt to defend a very bad vote that you made. Wouldn’t it have been better (and easier) to just vote the right way in the first place?
I fail to see anything about it that was admirable.
Meaningless words about a meaningless resolution.