President Trump on Wednesday announced that the U.S. and Canada are temporarily closing their shared border to non-essential traffic as part of the effort to tackle the coronavirus pandemic.
"We will be, by mutual consent, temporarily closing our Northern Border with Canada to non-essential traffic," Trump tweeted. "Trade will not be affected. Details to follow!"
We will be, by mutual consent, temporarily closing our Northern Border with Canada to non-essential traffic. Trade will not be affected. Details to follow!— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 18, 2020
As of Wednesday morning, there were 6,519 cases and 114 deaths in the United States. Canada, meanwhile, has recorded 598 cases of coronavirus and has so far had eight fatalities nationwide.
The move comes as countries across the globe shut down their borders in order to combat the virus that has brought daily life to a standstill. Trump on Saturday added the U.K. and Ireland to a 30-day European travel ban, while Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday previously had closed Canada's borders to all foreign nationals except U.S. citizens and permanent residents.
Trudeau said the exemption for Americans at the time was due to “the level of integration of our two economies."
Canada relies on the U.S. for 75 percent of its exports. Much of Canada’s food supply comes from or via the U.S., and 98 percent of its oil exports go to the U.S. About 18 percent of American exports go to Canada.
Trudeau is currently in self-quarantine after his wife Sophie tested positive for the virus.
Trump sought to comfort people this morning who are out of work because of the coronavirus containment policies states are putting forward, saying “money will be coming to you soon!”
For the people that are now out of work because of the important and necessary containment policies, for instance the shutting down of hotels, bars and restaurants, money will soon be coming to you. The onslaught of the Chinese Virus is not your fault! Will be stronger than ever!— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 18, 2020
In terms of this money, Fox News reports this morning that the stimulus package has reached a price tag of nearly a trillion dollars and listed the big ticket items in the stimulus:
- $50 billion for the airline industry
- $250 billion or more in small business loans
- $250 billion or more in direct checks
The stimulus is still being negotiated, however McConnell believes he’ll be getting it done very soon.
Trump also put out a few more tweets this morning, defending himself and ripping into the media in one:
I always treated the Chinese Virus very seriously, and have done a very good job from the beginning, including my very early decision to close the “borders” from China - against the wishes of almost all. Many lives were saved. The Fake News new narrative is disgraceful & false!— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 18, 2020
He also announced a news conference about “very important news” with regard to the coronavirus:
I will be having a news conference today to discuss very important news from the FDA concerning the Chinese Virus!— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 18, 2020
And lastly Trump just weighed in on the Democratic primaries for president….
The DNC will have gotten their fondest wish and defeated Bernie Sanders, far ahead of schedule. Now they are doing everything possible to be nice to him in order to keep his supporters. Bernie has given up, just like he did last time. He will be dropping out soon! MAGA/KAG— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 18, 2020
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