(Observer News) Canada's "free motorcade" protests have lasted for more than a decade, and traffic at the Ambassador Bridge, the busiest border crossing bridge in North America, has been paralyzed for several days. Starting later on the 7th, trucks began to jam the Ambassador Bridge, which connects Deuteron in the United States and Windsor in Canada. As Detroit's automaker and supply route for agricultural products, after the Blockade of Ambassador Bridge traffic, automobile production was hit hard, and the live cattle and meat trade was also in trouble. The U.S. and Canadian governments have warned that the economies of both countries could be "significantly affected" as a result.
Ford and Toyota said on the 9th that they would stop some production. Robert Wildeboer, executive chairman of the auto parts company Martinrea, said in an interview with Bloomberg that "if that shipping route closes, the auto industry won't be able to function in about two days." ”
Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens said at a press conference on the 9th that the hundreds of people who blocked the bridge are "holding a part of our country's economy hostage" and warned that the situation at the Ambassadors Bridge will become "ugly".
Screenshot of the Reuters report
According to Reuters, annual trade in goods between Canada and the United States amounts to $650 billion ($511 billion), more than two-thirds of which is transported by road. Typically, more than 40,000 people, 8,000 trucks, and more than $323 million worth of goods pass through the Ambassador Bridge between Detroit and Windsor every day, equivalent to 27 percent of U.S.-Canada trade.
The Ambassadors Bridge is located in Detroit, USA, to the north and Windsor, Canada to the south.
"The automotive industry will not be able to function in about two days"
According to the Washington Post, the police said on the 9th that the Ambassador Bridge is currently blocked by a convoy of 75 vehicles and more than 100 people. The paralysis of the port will have a serious impact on the Canadian and U.S. economies, with many automakers suffering from traffic disruptions and having to cut production or even shut down work. Since the bridge was blocked this week, factories in southern Ontario, Canada, have reduced shifts for thousands of workers.
After the blockade of the Ambassador Bridge, the transport of goods had to take a 100-kilometer detour to the Bluewater Bridge between Port Huron, Michigan, and Sarnia, Ontario, which could be passed normally, but there would obviously be a long delay in entering Canada. On the afternoon of the 8th, the lane from the Ambassador Bridge to the United States barely resumed traffic, but the lane into Canada was still closed.
According to Reuters reported on the 10th, Toyota Motor, the largest sales force in the United States, said on the 9th that it would suspend the remaining production of the car plant in Ontario, Canada, this week, and one of Ford's engine plants has stopped production, and the production of chrysler group has also been disrupted.
Ford has suspended engine production in Windsor, Ontario, Canada, and its Oakville plant near Toronto is reducing production because the closure of the Ambassador Bridge "could have a broad impact on all automakers in the United States and Canada."
Automaker Strantis's assembly plant in Windsor is also facing a shortage of spare parts, and the company had to end its shifts earlier on the 8th and temporarily resume production on the 9th.
Bloomberg said that Robert Wildeboer, executive chairman of the auto parts company "Martinrea", said in an interview on the 8th, "Basically, if the transportation route is closed, the automotive industry will not be able to operate in about two days." ”
Flavio Volpe, president of the Canadian Auto Parts Manufacturers Association, said on the 8th that the protesters were a "collection of anti-government provocateurs" and threatened the supply of fresh produce, livestock and other foodstuffs. The blockade of ambassador bridge could create a shortage of about $300 million ($236 million) of goods per day and drive up prices on both sides of the border.
According to the French 24 TV report, Jeff Schuster, president of Elsie Automobile Market Consulting Company, also said on the 9th that the automotive industry supply chain is already very fragile, and even a 5-hour delay may lead to production interruptions. "At the moment, everything is stuck. We are still in a shortage of spare parts and a tight supply chain, which is simply worse. ”
On February 8, Canadian truck drivers blocked the Ambassador Bridge in Ontario, Canada. The picture is from the surging image
Canadian truck drivers block the Ambassador Bridge in Ontario, Canada, on Feb. 8. The picture is from the surging image
U.S. agricultural exports to Canada hit, White House: Watch closely
In addition to automobile production, the latest lockdown has also had an impact on agricultural trade transport. The Canadian Cattle Ranchers Association said the port blockade had hampered the transportation of U.S. corn to alberta, Canada, and the live cattle and meat trade was also in trouble. Alberta is Canada's largest cattle breeding base.
White House spokesman Psaki responded on the 9th that the White House is paying "very close" attention to the situation, saying that the US government is tracking the potential interference caused by the blockade to the export of agricultural products to Canada.
"I think everyone in Canada and the U.S. has to understand what the potential impact of this lockdown is on workers, on supply chains, and that's what we're most concerned about." "We're also tracking potential disruptions in U.S. agricultural exports from Michigan to Canada," Psaki said. ”
Psaki said the U.S. government is working with border area agencies to divert traffic to the Bluewater Bridge connecting Port Huron, Michigan, to Sarnia, Ontario, for fear that the protests could turn into violence.
Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem also called for a quick fix. "If there is a prolonged lockdown at key points of entry into Canada, it could begin to have a significant impact on economic activity." "Global supply chains are already strained, let's not make it worse," he said. ”
The impasse was slow to resolve, and both the mayor of Windsor and the chief of police issued warnings. According to the Politico news network, on the 9th local time, Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens said, "You have 100 people who are holding a part of our country's economy hostage", and warned that the situation at the Ambassador Bridge will become "ugly". Dyrkens said the government needed a plan to respond to "long-term" protests, but added that the demonstrations were unlikely to last long.
The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) said on the 9th that no protesters on the Ambassador Bridge have been arrested, and the police have issued 7 to 10 tickets. However, Windsor Police Chief Pam Mizuno warned on the 9th that the police will not tolerate illegal activities and will take action if necessary. "Our priority is public safety and peacekeeping."
Bill Blair, Canada's emergency preparedness minister, more directly argued that law enforcement is the responsibility of the police, not politicians. "They're basically putting their feet on the throats of all Canadians," Blair warned, "and we all want a peaceful resolution of these protests, but they need to end." ”
Since the end of January, many truck drivers and anti-vaccine people in Canada have forced people to form so-called "free convoys" and marched into the capital, Ottawa, to protest and demonstrate. On February 6, Ottawa declared a state of emergency, and the momentum gradually spread across the country. Reuters said that as of the 8th, 23 people have been arrested by the police, and the police have issued about 1300 tickets and launched 79 criminal investigations. While most of the protests have been peaceful, police fear far-right groups will take advantage of the opportunity to cause trouble. At present, there have been disturbing situations such as protesters displaying Nazi symbols and dancing at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Inspired by the protests in Canada, there have been demonstrations of anti-epidemic policies in New Zealand, Australia and France.
This article is an exclusive manuscript of the Observer Network and may not be reproduced without authorization.