The Alaska House of Representatives passed a resolution on Monday that raised a white flag to Canada in the modest trade war that has developed between the United States and its neighbor to the north. They may have raised a red flag in the White House.
Although none of the House members has the inside track on how President Donald Trump is working the international relationship, House Joint Resolution 11 might be interpreted by the president as a direct rebuke to his efforts to balance trade.
The resolution affirms Alaska’s deep ties with its neighbor and opposes restrictive trade policies.
It is a symbolic surrender to Canada amid rising tensions fueled by Trump’s response to Canada’s high tariffs. The resolution, while meddling in international affairs, does not acknowledge the numerous executive orders that Trump has signed to help Alaska restore its economy.
Introduced by House Majority Leader Chuck Kopp, HJR 11 passed on a vote of 33-4, with two Republicans absent. Only four members voted against it: Rep. Jamie Allard, Rep. Mike Prax, Rep. Bill Elam and Rep. Cathy Tilton. All four are Republicans.
The resolution highlights the “mutually beneficial” relationship between Alaska and Canada, with their shared history, economic interdependence, and mutual defense efforts, such as last summer’s joint interception of Russian and Chinese warplanes near Alaskan airspace. It explicitly calls on the federal government to refrain from imposing measures that would “harm the unique relationship between Canada and Alaska or negatively affect our integrated economies.”
The timing of the resolution’s passage — on March 24 — comes just days before Trump’s 25% tariffs on Canadian goods are set to take effect on April 2.
The Trump Administration may take it as a slap in the face to the president and appears to be raising a white flag to Ottawa, prioritizing state concerns over federal policy.
The House members caved into the threats of British Columbia Premier David Eby, who has said he will impose additional tariffs for any trucks coming from Washington State to Alaska and passing through his province.
The resolution follows a similar measure, Senate Joint Resolution 9, sponsored by Senator Cathy Giessel of Anchorage, which was introduced to the Senate earlier this month.
Before the trade dispute escalated, Canada’s tariffs on U.S. goods varied. Some US goods were allowed into Canada tariff-free, while others, such as milk (up to 270% tariff on US milk), cheese (up to 245% tariff), butter (up to 298% tariff), and chicken (up to 237% tariff), have long had high tariffs.
The current 25% tariffs Canada has imposed on the US are a retaliatory measure that will be administered by the Canada Border Services Agency as a surtax on top of existing duties, targeting goods originating from the US.
Rep. Jamie Allard wrote about her decision to vote against the resolution:
“Today I voted NO on House Joint Resolution 11. President Donald Trump, immediately upon taking office, signed historic executive orders to help Alaska and undo the damage of the prior administration. He singled Alaska among all 50 states out for his help because he knows how much damage was done to us. His executive orders position Alaska and our nation for prosperity and greater national security. Alaska has never had such a president who was so pro-Alaska in all of our state’s history. Sadly, the House turned their back on him and passed HJR 11, which counters our president’s strategic policies. I consider this resolution to be misguided and anti-American, and I surely hope our president does not lose confidence in Alaska’s ability to be a strong and pro-American home of patriots who put America First,” Allard wrote.
In contrast to the white flag raised by the Alaska House, US Sen. Dan Sullivan wrote last week that the president needs to change the law that requires foreign-flagged cruise ships to stop in a Canadian port before continuing on to Alaska.
Disgusting act.
But typical of liberals.
Masked Dude: All but a handful are liberals?
Joe, I’ll take exception with you on this one and agree with Masked Dude in principal with one exception.
The commie bots of today are not Liberals. Jefferson and Adam’s were ” Liberals”.
Furthermore, last I checked, the US Constitution excludes States from negotiations for Treaties. It is a Federal thing. But apparently that doesn’t stop the Commie bots in the legislature from trying.
BTW, Canada has been overtly hostile to Akaskans these last 30 years or so. Recall the Prince Rupert Ferry affair? An overt act of piracy.
I say let’s organize a cage fight between out Troopers and their Mounties!
This state is toast.
We are leaving this commie state, disgusted with the lunatic lefties undermining our future.
Suzanne,
I appreciate your effort to point out the fact that Canada has levied tariffs on American goods for a long time at at extraordinarily high rates as highlighted here “Canada’s tariffs on U.S. goods varied…milk (up to 270% tariff on US milk), cheese (up to 245% tariff), butter (up to 298% tariff), and chicken (up to 237% tariff), have long had high tariffs.” This simple fact is missed (or omitted) by most American and Canadian media, likely purposefully in deference to the chosen narrative.
The corrupt politicians in Juneau are working with the democrats in Washington DC to undermine the president of the United States. We Alaskan’s cannot trust the Alaskan republican party anymore. They have joined the unethical union democrats and their leadership is non-existent.
Too true, our own “republicans” have committed treason against we the people.
Lefty lunatics are in charge….
Performative nonsense from an Alaskan Ship of Fools.
Canada never did anything willingly for USA except take US taxpayer’s money to build their defense system. You think Washington state is bad? Look closer at Canada.
You reap what you sow.
Why don’t these goofuses fix what they can fix (state budget perhaps) instead of meddling in international affairs.
These fools think they have a better handle on the tariff and border security situation than Trump? Boy, there really must be something in that Juneau water. Maybe it’s all that fentanyl coming over the border from Canada…making them crazy.
What a clown car our Legislature is.
Forget about fentanyl. The REAL issue is counterfeit dairy products.
There’s a Canadian cartel that controls dairy products. They sell “whole” milk to Americans when it’s really skim!
When will Trump and the politicians pay attention to the real issues??
Google “lemon party” to find out the truth!!
Biden, the worst president in US history imposed a 14 percent tariff on lumber. Trump then added another 25% tariff- so we now have a 40 percent sales tax on lumber. The DC moron Republicans just increased the borrowing limit by $4 trillion- so no balanced budget- and that means higher interest rates. Higher interest rates make for more expensive mortgages- with the top rate pushing 7 percent. To make matters worse Trump is imposing high tariffs on steel- which is a critical ingredient in building a home. All of this makes home ownership much less affordable- or impossible for many.
I hate all these GD politicians, both the Rs and Ds. All they do is make everything more expensive.
For the record, Trump has started this attack on Canada citing border issues. I don’t believe the Canadians are corrupt like the Mexicans, and Canadians are fairly law abiding people. Starting this insane trade war with a close ally, and insulting their PM is madness.
But just for the fun of it, lets make Canada the 51st state. What would that get us? Canada is a fairly liberal country. This 51st state would not support conservatives, it would back lunatics like Newsom.
So the stupid trump- a former Democrat- would ensure we’d never elect a conservative president ever again because the electoral votes from the state of Canada would all go for the Democrat candidate- electoral votes are winner take all.
Geezus. I’m a Reagan Republican- and I hate this clown show.
Cruise ships will still stop in Canada regardless of what Dan thinks
I am really disheartened by what appears to me to be cowardice. Only four legislators are standing firm and the rest, my representative included, are yielding to fear.
Fear and they are being influenced by dark money for their “NEXT” campaign.
I wouldn’t follow any of these 33 cowardly legislators into battle. They folded like a cheap suit.
This entire episode is shameful.
This is Cathy Giessel’s SJR 9, only the house (every member present today) somehow found a way to make it even worse today before passing it. Giessel’s bill wisely said nothing about Canadian Sovereignty. The vote to add that language passed 37-0 this morning.
“Alaska recognizes the importance of a strong and sovereign nation of Canada and firmly supports Canada’s right to self-determination, national security, and economic independence.”
The house sponsor (Chuck Kopp) declared on the floor of the house today that we need to “stand up for Canada.” The imagery is clear. Canada is the battered spouse and Trump is the wife-beater. That’s why we need to pass a resolution extolling Canada’s virtues and good deeds. The resolution wasn’t mutual. There weren’t long lists of America’s virtues and good deeds (other than the sentiment that “we love Canada”). The fact that Canada has provided aid to the United States four different times was mentioned. No mention of America providing aid to Canada. That part of our history is whitewashed out. Gone from memory.
Many legislators stood up to declare why their fellow legislators should vote for the resolution. Not a single legislator had the courage to stand up and make the case for standing with our president and nation’s current trade policy. Not one.
HJR11 is exactly the type of policy position one would expect from a legislature bereft of courage. Stop fighting they say. Cancel the tariffs, they say. No mention of the long-standing tariffs that Canada has saddled the U.S. with. No mention of the fact that the U.S. absolutely needs to rebalance our relationship with Canada if we are to pursue an America First foreign policy.
To HJR11, America last is still a fine policy because not upsetting Canada is a policy that “benefits” Alaska. Backward. Short-sighted. Shameful.
Always appreciate your insight.
Shameful, traitorous behaviour.
David,
I’m not sure how you can say “Giessel’s bill wisely said nothing about Canadian Sovereignty” and then you provide a quote that directly contradicting what you just claimed. “Alaska recognizes the importance of a strong and sovereign nation of Canada and firmly supports Canada’s right to self-determination, national security, and economic independence.” Although I agree with much of the remainder of what you wrote.
On a side note is it appropriate to use the abbreviation for Representative in your name here, shouldn’t you at least put the word former in front of it?
As noted, the new language on sovereignty didn’t come from Giessel’s original bill. The house added it themselves by unanimous consent on the house floor yesterday. There was no opposition.
Giessel’s language was the much more mundane “the Alaska Legislature recognizes the vibrancy and importance of the Alaska-Canada relationship”.
While I expect Giessel will be glad to support the new language in the senate, you can thank every house Republican present for the language that was added yesterday.
Always good to read the bills.
Now tell the rest of the story. Rep. Allard is free to vote her conscience, as are the rest of the House Republicans. This is what makes the Republican party in the House great, freedom of will, freedom of thought. This resolution, as amended by Rep. Stapp, Rep. Himschoot, and particularly Rep. McCabe strengthened the language to outline long-standing mutually beneficial trade between Alaska and Canada. The president is doing a great job fighting and negotiating for the best interest of the US and Alaskans, and I’m confident his actions will be a net positive for our state. In no way is this resolution a dig on Trump, and to suggest it is can’t see the forest through the trees.
Alaska caved. Your legislature is full of lefties who think in their hearts that subordinating economic power to goodwill and friendship pleases the neighboring country. Many Canadians feel that a European style government is more globally correct. But Canadians also know that they are protected 24/7 by the US military. And Canadians could never live an abundant lifestyle without their powerful friends to the south. What many Canadians can’t understand is why so many Americans, including your feckless Alaska legislature, continue to look at your prowress in a self-defeating, self-deprecating manner. Is that the mass psychological miscue of Trump Derangement Syndrome?
WHAT ABOUT THE REPUBLICANS WHO VOTED WITH THE DEMOCRATS??
They cannot be trusted.
All of them must go! Only those who lick the boots of daddy Trump should be allowed to have any power in our state.
Thank goodness for people like Mike Prax who will stand up against the tyranny of Canada and protect Alaskans, and continue to bow to daddy Musk and Trump.
MAKE ALASKA GREAT AGAIN.
Man Does Not Plan To Fail….HE FAILS TO PLAN.
DRILL BABY DRILL THEN SEE ALL ALASKANS PROSPER AND ALL IN OUR NATION.
What could we possibly expect this legislature do differently being lead my the Democratic Party. Everytime Republicans elected to the legislature join the Democrats giving them the majority you can expect the same majority not to act in Alaskans best interests. How long will the Republican Party in AK allow these Traitors to run as Republicans!
Why arent they all being censured and kicked out of the republican party?
Both at the state and national organizations???
Do people not know that the Alaska Commercial Company stores throughout rural AK is Canadian owned?
‘https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/cbp/main/Document/Corp/?r=953210&v=1763653&d=3043963
It comes at no surprise that people may not know.
Based on the AC website – you will not find transparency that the AC stores are a Canadian company.
‘https://alaskacommercial.com/about-us/
I don’t know – I think this gesture is not inconsistent with supporting Trump and his policies. Alaska cannot levy tariffs. Why not maintain a friendly relationship with Canada (as a state) and let Trump be the bad cop.
Trump should freeze all the things he wanted to do here and take them elsewhere.
That would certainly hurt…..
Alaska looked at Zelenskyy at the White House after he received so much attention.
We have NO CARDS, but we can embarass Trump into remaining as obstinately death guided as Zelenskyy.
Like keying a Tesla, interfering with trade policy?
I welcome a magnificent investigative response, DOGE to Alaska!
How long will we allow these self serving traitors to stay in Juneau? Now is the time to give Juneau a good colonic cleanse and to take our state bac. I am ashamed of these clowns and their toxic behavior
I don’t know – I think this gesture is not inconsistent with supporting Trump and his policies. Alaska cannot levy tariffs. Why not maintain a friendly relationship with Canada (as a state) and let Trump be the bad cop.
I think it may be a positive for Alaska.
It’s not the first, nor will it be the last time, President Trump’s attention has been turned towards what was once a reliably Conservative state. He’s looking at Alaska for many reasons. Conservative orgs will be concentrating efforts and money northward. Local, state & federal consequences. RINOs are on notice, and Murky has noticed.
Move the border to the other side of the Alaska highway.
What a bunch of tools with the biggest tool Kopp leading the way. What a way to show appreciation to the best President for Alaska in years. This is not what the residents of Alaska voted for. Seems like Kopp and his ilk are taking lessons from Murkowski
Coulombe is my rep. and Not voting for her again. Alaska is sinking into liberal hell….
Trump has created a mess in Canada for nothing and turned his back on Canada’s conservatives. His actions will likely cause the reelection of a liberal Prime Minister, something deemed impossible prior to January 20. When will it be ok to criticize his decisions?
This is an embarrassment. Alaskans, remember this hubris when in May this group of snakes take three quarters of your permanent fund dividend and still can’t balance a budget and then have an extended special session until June 30 and come out with an income tax on you, while they are taking $300 a day in per diem. What a disgrace. I sure hope Trump is not paying attention to the Alaska Legislature because why in the world would he help a state governed by such cretins.
The EU will be slashing their tariff on American vehicles from 10% to the current 2.5% that we have on vehicles made in Europe, this is in response to President Trumps threat to raise tariffs on the EU. This isn’t the first tariff that has been slashed and it won’t be the last.
Those who voted for this bill are simply kowtowing to those who would prefer these unbalanced tariffs remain in place at the cost of American jobs and prosperity.
I stand with Allard.Our Ketchikan Representative reflects the habits of “Sheep”. “Pee on ewe”.
Cheers-Johnson-Ketchikan.
I stand with Allard, too. These B-teamers never went after Biden like they just went after Trump.
EMBARRASSING!