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August 26, 2026, Adrian, Michigan – On behalf of Adrian Dominican Sisters and Associates, the General Council issued the following statement, decrying the Trump Administration’s recent tariffs and declaration of economic war against Canada, the long-time friend and neighbor of the United States.

As women of faith, our two Gospel imperatives are love of God and love of neighbor.

The trade war that the Trump Administration has launched against Canada, imposing 50% tariffs on billions of dollars of goods, is not only harming Canadian producers but also American consumers who will be bearing the increased cost of Canadian products that are exchanged daily across the world’s longest border.

Even more devastatingly, the imposition of tariffs represents a shocking declaration of economic war against one of our nation’s most reliable friends and allies – a trade and global security partner and a dear neighbor whose residents are our family and friends.

We are appalled – and ashamed – by this egregious and dangerous abuse of power. As Rev. Cameron Trimble so aptly wrote in her Piloting Faith Mediation on August 25, 2026:

For most Americans, Canada has always been a constant presence…. Families travel back and forth. We help each other fight fires. We share rivers, lakes, power grids, industries, defense agreements, sports leagues, music, culture, and even have friendly debates over which celebrities belong to which country.

Canadians came to our aid after September 11. When American airspace suddenly closed, the small town of Gander, Newfoundland, welcomed thousands of stranded passengers into homes, schools and churches. People cooked meals, offered showers, handed strangers the keys to their cars and made room for people they had never met. That’s what neighbors do.

Trade differences among friends are negotiated as partners – not as adversaries. We call on Congress to exercise its constitutional authority to lay and collect tariffs, and its power to check abuses of executive power. We invite all Americans, especially those who live along the border, to join us in this call. Let us not abide this appalling breach of our longstanding and honored bonds of friendship with Canada.

Dominican Saint Catherine of Siena urged us always to “walk on two feet: one with love for God and the other with love for neighbor.” Let us walk on those two feet, with love for God and our neighbors – Canada on our northern border and Mexico on our southern.

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Members of the Adrian Dominican Sisters General Council are Sisters Elise D. García, OP, Prioress; Frances Nadolny, OP, General Councilor; Lorraine Réaume, OP, Vicaress and General Councilor; Corinne Sanders, OP, and Mary Soher, OP, General Councilors.