On Tuesday, a Reddit user posted a photo of a billboard spotted in Buckeye that reads in all caps: “Tariffs are a tax on your grocery bill.” Underneath the message is written, “Paid for by the Government of Canada.” Two other users said they had also seen three such signs off Interstate 17 and Interstate 10 highways.
Oh Canada! You made my day
byu/Skin3725 inphoenix
According to Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly, the billboards' purpose is to help Americans understand that if the tariffs are enacted, their president will make life more expensive for them. Tariffs on Canadian products will go into effect on April 2.
“We’re doing that because we think that we need to send a message to the American people for them to understand what’s at stake because this is really going to hurt their livelihood and have an impact on their wallets,” Joly told CNN.
Arizona isn’t the only place Canada is placing billboards. They’ve also appeared in Florida, Nevada, Georgia, New Hampshire, Michigan, Ohio and 11 other states, according to Joly.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said the country is working to “prepare for the worst.” Canada’s steel and aluminum plants have started laying off hundreds of employees in response to the threat of tariffs.
If the tariffs go into effect, they will almost surely send shockwaves through the global economy.
But the “if” is important — Trump has pulled back on imposing several rounds of tariffs at the last minute during his trade war with Canada and Mexico, which already has its own Wikipedia page.
Reddit users debated the effectiveness of Canada’s move, especially in red and rural far West Valley.
“I'm sure THAT message went over well in Buckeye,” one user wrote.
“I get what you are saying and agree, but I bet deep down some of those people know it’s true. They definitely noticed it,” another responded. “Also, I’ve met adults who have no idea what tariffs are let alone have any idea how they affect an economy. After I explained it to them in very basic terms, they actually realized the negative consequences. Money talks.”
Whether the billboards will be effective remains to be seen. Arizona does more international trade with Mexico than Canada, but an ABC 15 analysis found that Arizona companies imported $2.5 billion in products from Canada last year. Top imports were mechanical and electrical parts, cars and wood products.
Tariffs on those goods may not affect grocery bills in the Grand Canyon State, as the billboard claims. But Arizona consumers could still feel the crunch.
