Biden tells Trudeau trucker protests are having ‘serious effects’ on U.S. companies, workers

President Joe Biden spoke with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Friday about the trucker blockade of key crossings between the two countries, telling his counterpart the protests were causing significant harm to American businesses and consumers.

“The President expressed his concern that U.S. companies and workers are experiencing serious effects, including slowdowns in production, shortened work hours, and plant closures,” the White House said in a statement.

Trudeau told Biden he would take “quick action in enforcing the law,” the White House added.

Canadian truckers have blocked some of the busiest border crossings between Canada and the United States as part of a protest that initially began in opposition to vaccine mandates for truckers traveling between the two countries. The demonstration has since broadened out to include criticism of Trudeau’s government and coronavirus restrictions imposed across Canada.

The phone call between Biden and Trudeau came on the same day Ontario Premier Doug Ford declared a state of emergency, saying he’ll use all government resources to end a two-week protest. Later on Friday, a judge in Canada ordered protesters to leave the Ambassador Bridge, which connects to Michigan.