As International Bridge Crossings Plummet, Governor Hochul Holds Roundtable with Business Leaders and Farmers in the North Country Impacted by Trump’s Tariffs, Continues to[...]

Governor Kathy Hochul today held a roundtable with business leaders and farmers from the North Country to hear about the challenges they've faced over the past year while navigating the Trump administration's reckless tariff policies. After the Supreme Court ruled the President's International Emergency Economic Powers Act tariffs unlawful, Governor Hochul immediately called for the federal government to return the estimated $13.5 billion illegally taken from New Yorkers. During the conversation, the roundtable participants underscored how the economic chaos coming out of Washington and decrease in border crossings have upended their families' financial livelihoods and made planning for the future impossible.

"The Trump administration not only illegally took $13.5 billion from New Yorkers, but their tariff policies have also impacted tourism here in the North Country - causing small businesses and farmers to feel yet another financial burden," Governor Hochul said. "Enough is enough - it is time that the federal government refunds the money and helps our businesses, farmers, and families get back on their feet."

The roundtable was moderated by Steve Lawrence, Executive Director of the Ogdensburg Bridge and Port Authority (OBPA). Participants in the roundtable included:

• Mayor Michael Tooley, City of Ogdensburg
• Anthony Adamczyk, Director of Economic Development, OBPA
• Ben Dixon, Executive Director, St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce
• Corey Fram, Director, 1000 Islands International Tourism Council
• Scott Hilyard, Business Manager, LiUNA Local1822
• Yen Maine, Owner, Nature's Storehouse and Adirondack Fragrance
• Ron Robbins, Farmer and Owner, Old McDonald's Farm and Robbins Family Grain

For over a year, Governor Hochul has been meeting with New Yorkers to discuss the impact of Trump's tariffs on their lives and businesses. The Governor recently visited Victor Schwartz, the owner of VOS Selections and a plaintiff in the lawsuit that recently led to a Supreme Court decision on the International Emergency Economic Powers Act tariffs. The same day, the Governor sent a letter to U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent calling on him to immediately work with federal agencies to refund all tariff payments to New Yorkers.

Based on estimates by the Budget Lab at Yale, the average New York household has faced an estimated $1,751 in added costs due to tariffs since they were enacted last year, for a total estimated $13.5 billion statewide impact.

Tariffs and other adversarial actions and statements towards Canada have resulted in significant reductions in crossings across the Ogdensburg-Prescott International Bridge. There was a 23 percent decrease in border crossings in 2025 as compared to 2024, equating to 135,757 fewer crossings last year. This decrease in cross-border traffic was associated with a 34.9 percent decrease in toll revenue for the Ogdensburg Bridge and Port Authority in 2025 as compared to 2024, equating to roughly $536,000 in lost revenue.

While Governor Hochul continues to press for a refund, as part of her 2026 State of the State, the Governor proposed $30 million in tariff relief to help support impacted farmers across the state. Even with the recent Supreme Court ruling overturning Trump's tariffs, for many farmers the damage has already been done - with farmers across New York facing higher equipment and supply costs and other major challenges.

Contact the Governor's Press Office