Vaccine Mandates Threaten US-Canada Commerce
It is the same song and dance we have been hearing about for roughly the past year, since vaccines were first available. However, with it potentially impacting the United States shipping relations to Canada, vaccine mandates may once again throw a wrench into the supply chain.
Details
Beginning in early January 2022, the United States Department of Homeland Security will require proof of vaccination from travelers crossing into U.S. land or ferry ports of entry. Likewise, Canada, beginning Jan. 15, 2022, will require truck drivers to have proof of full vaccination to enter the country’s borders. By full vaccination they currently do not mean boosters, but that may change in the future.
Canada gives the United States more than just maple syrup; over $700 billion in goods trade hands between the two countries each year. Some of Canada’s largest exports to the US include:
- Machinery
- Aluminum
- Copper
- Tin
- Wood
- Gemstones
- Rubber
It does not take an expert to realize that some of these are imperative to the trucking industry, such as the rubber for eighteen different tires per truck.
Naturally, these requirements have been met with opposition from the trucking industry in both countries. Stephen Laskowski of the Canadian Trucking Association is one such detractor.
“In light of worldwide supply chain disruptions and delays, it’s unclear how the supply chain and the trucking industry, in particular, can withstand further turmoil and maintain the service levels required to deliver critical products Canadians and Americans need,” Laskowski has said.
While Canadians are less vaccine-hesitant than Americans, their truckers, like ours, still stand out in the statistics. Mike Millian of the Private Motor Truck Council of Canada says that cutting Canadian international drivers by 13% and American international drivers by 40% is only going to toss gasoline on a fire.
“We are likely to see roughly 20,000 Canadian drivers and 16,000 U.S. drivers removed from the cross-border freight industry. This will have a dramatic effect on supplies and services reaching their destination and getting in the hands of those who need them,” says Millian.
Lawsuits are all but assured, but with the problem involving two different country jurisdictions, it is hard to say how it will turn out in the end.
Top Trending Trucking Articles
- FMCSA COVID-19 Emergency Extended Another Three Months
- NTEA Cancels Conference, but not for the Reason You Expect
- Johnny Cash and the Distance to go Everywhere, Man
- CTA Petitions the Supreme Court
- Senate Passes INVEST in America Act
- Trucking Insurance Bill Reintroduced to Congress
- Biden Signs Executive Order on Truck Emissions
ABOUT TOPMARK FUNDING
TopMark Funding is a top-rated semi-truck financing and trailer financing company located in Roseville, CA. We specialize in commercial trucking and heavy equipment. Our mission is to become your long-term financial partner by helping you grow your trucking business and fleet.
We’re not here for the short-term, we’re on the long-haul with you!
We have financing options for trailers, semi-trucks, commercial trucks, and small businesses. We have great rates, low down payments, and flexible monthly payments regardless of credit history.
Learn more about Trailer Financing.
Fill out the contact form or give us a call at (866) 627-6644. One of our truck financing specialists will contact you as soon as possible to go over your truck lease needs and learn more about you and your business financing goals.