Rather than a trade war, the small American city of Port Angeles is hoping to trade playful jibes with its Victoria neighbours instead.
“Is Ryan Reynolds a Canadian problem or an American problem?” said Sam Grello, executive director of Port Angeles Waterfront District. “That’s the sort of stupid stuff we want to be ‘fighting’ about again.”
But with U.S. President Donald Trump threatening 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian goods and his repeated calls for Canada to become a 51st state, Grello says Port Angeles is “freaking out” about the repercussions this could have on their much-treasured relationship with Victoria.
“To quote a famous Canadian, Keanu Reeves, ‘Strange things are afoot at the Circle-K,'” said Grello. “The nature of the conversation that is happening right now feels surreal … our relationship between America and Canada is getting politicized.
“I would not have picked that on my 2025 bingo card.”
Connected by Black Ball Ferry Line’s MV Coho for over six decades, the Washington city jokes it is the lost American suburb of Victoria, says Grello, developing over time an important economic and cultural connection.
“When people in Port Angeles want to go to a fancy dinner and a show, we go to Victoria,” he said. “We don't go to Seattle – we really feel close to the folks across the Strait.”
According to a 2019 study commissioned by Black Ball, the Coho generates $64 million a year for Port Angeles, with around 600 jobs reliant on the connection.
The economic connection between the two cities is never more obvious than when the Coho is dry-docked, says Grello, who notes the ferry is currently undergoing annual maintenance and will have been out of action for five weeks when it returns.
“We really notice the absence of the Coho and the visitors that are coming over from Vancouver Island and Victoria … we miss them,” Grello said.
So when passengers from Victoria disembark from the Coho’s first sailing of the year on Feb. 20, they will be greeted by an enthusiastic Port Angeles welcome party waving Canadian flags, dressed in red and white.
“We're also going to have some cheeky signs, poking fun at some of the silly stuff about our relationships … some of the goofier stuff that kind of leans into our affection for our neighbours up north,” said Grello.
There will also be a live band and a ‘Ask an American’ booth where “curious Canadians can chat with friendly Americans about anything.”
Some waterfront district businesses will be offering discounts to Canadians who show their passport or driver's licence.
“We feel compelled in this moment to stand up and make some visual demonstration of our affection towards Victoria,” Grello said. “We are a very small rural community – we do not have a lot of capital or a lot of political power, but we do have agency within our community.”
With some Canadians boycotting travel to the U.S. in response to Trump's tariff threats, Grello says he understands Port Angeles' gesture won't change the minds of those who have chosen to break away from the States.
Instead, he hopes when the dust eventually settles, people will remember Port Angeles' show of solidarity.
“We think it is important that we demonstrate that we value our relationship with Victoria, and that we highlight that America is not a monolithic block of thought,” said Grello.
