In new letter to House Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Member Gregory Meeks, Mayors urge House to act quickly 

WASHINGTON, D.C. –  Today, the U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) expressed strong support for congressional resolutions to terminate the national emergencies used to justify tariffs on Canada and Mexico, outlining their position in a letter to House Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Member Gregory Meeks.

The resolutions, sponsored by Rep. Meeks, address the inappropriate use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) by President Trump. The tariffs were imposed under declarations of national emergency that do not constitute a true emergency.

In the letter, USCM CEO and Executive Director Tom Cochran said: “Canada and Mexico remain important neighbors and partners in border security, law enforcement cooperation, and regional economic integration. The recent trade actions have strained relationships with two of our closest allies, largest trading partners, and most important collaborators on economic, security, and public safety challenges across North America.

“In American cities, new sweeping tariffs are causing real, long-term economic impacts –already increasing prices for groceries and automobiles, disrupting industries, and threatening small businesses and jobs. They’re worsening the housing affordability crisis by raising the cost of essential infrastructure and building materials, making homeownership more difficult.”

Mayors across the country have reported that the new tariffs are already causing long-term economic consequences in American cities. These impacts include rising prices for groceries and automobiles, supply chain disruptions, threats to small businesses, and job losses. The tariffs also are putting homeownership out of reach for many families due to increasing the cost of essential infrastructure and construction materials.

Last spring, nearly 30 mayors from the United States, Mexico and Canada gathered in Washington, D.C. to express their opposition to the new tariffs, urging “national leaders to respect existing trade agreements between our three nations.” In a joint statement issued after the meeting, the mayors noted that the “escalation of tariffs only raises costs for businesses, workers and consumers across North America.”

You can read the full letter below and here:

The Honorable Gregory W. Meeks
Ranking Member
Committee on Foreign Affairs
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515 

Dear Ranking Member Meeks,

On behalf of The U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM), a bipartisan organization representing mayors across the United States, we write to strongly support your joint resolutions to terminate the national emergencies declared on February 1, 2025, used to justify tariffs on Canada and Mexico. We also share concerns about tariffs imposed globally and on other individual countries.

Your resolutions address the inappropriate use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose tariffs based on the declarations of national emergency that do not meet the test. The President’s use of IEEPA raises serious concerns.

Canada and Mexico remain important neighbors and partners in border security, law enforcement cooperation, and regional economic integration. The recent trade actions have strained relationships with two of our closest allies, largest trading partners, and most important collaborators on economic, security, and public safety challenges across North America.

In American cities, new sweeping tariffs are causing real, long-term economic impacts – already increasing prices for groceries and automobiles, disrupting industries, and threatening small businesses and jobs. They’re worsening the housing affordability crisis by raising the cost of essential infrastructure and building materials, making homeownership more difficult.

Last spring, USCM convened nearly 30 mayors from the U.S., Canada, and Mexico in Washington, D.C., to jointly oppose tariffs beyond the USMCA, issuing a statement that highlighted the immediate impact on cities and local businesses. Urgent Congressional action under the National Emergencies Act is needed to review and terminate these declarations.

We believe the unpredictable tariffs jeopardize our global economic standing and reputation as a trusted partner. We urge Congress to restore order and stability to the global trading system before further harm occurs.

We commend you and the group of cosponsors—including Representatives Richard Neal, Joaquin Castro, Rick Larsen, Suzan DelBene, and Greg Stanton—for your leadership. On behalf of the nation’s mayors, we urge the House of Representatives to act swiftly to bring these resolutions to the floor.

Respectfully,

Tom Cochran
CEO and Executive Director
The U.S. Conference of Mayors