Sarnia's mayor says a recent discussion with United States Consul General Baxter Hunt was "honest and frank," and focused on a number of important issues.
Mike Bradley welcomed Hunt to the city on Friday morning.
Bradley said the two discussed, tariffs, trade, security, and fentanyl during the hour-long meeting.
"I told him very clearly that the fentanyl issue is a non-issue in this country," said Bradley. "The biggest issue at our border is the smuggling of guns and drugs into Canada from the U.S. We talked about the overall economy here and how right across this country, in border cities and other Canadian cities, the economy is on hold because of the uncertainty about where the American government is going as it relates to Canada."
Bradley said the talk was very respectful, despite the anger and anxiety about what's happening in the U.S.
"It was an honest exchange of opinions and background about what's happening in the U.S. and the damage it's doing to the relationship and to our economy," he said. "But, it was a respectful exchange of views and that's how it should be."
Bradley said Hunt's goal is to be better informed about what's happening on the ground in border cities.
"He is going also to Sault St. Marie and he's been to Windsor," said Bradley. "So, he's going to the border cities and I give him credit for that. I told him he was a very brave man to come to border cities right now and the history of the relationship between the two countries."
The Consul General also visited with representatives from major petrochemical companies in the area, Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership and members of senior government.
According to the US Embassy, a U.S. Consul General heads a consulate general and is a high-ranking diplomat representing the United States in a specific city or region within a foreign country.
They're responsible for a range of diplomatic and consular duties, including promoting U.S. interests, providing services to American citizens, and issuing visas.
- With files from Stephanie Chaves