When he slapped tariffs on Canada, he likely expected minor pushback. Instead, Canada is hitting back—targeting something Trump never saw coming: U.S. access to Alaska. With potential tolls, border restrictions, and trade disruptions, could Canada cut Alaska off entirely? How far could this go?
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NewsTranscript
00:00Trump thought Canada would roll over. He was dead wrong. When he slapped tariffs on Canada,
00:05he probably expected some complaints. A little pushback, maybe. But instead,
00:09Canada hit back hard. And now, it's threatening something Trump never saw coming. US access
00:14to Alaska. That's right. One bold move by Canada could make Alaska feel a whole lot less American.
00:20But how did it come to this? And just how far could Canada go? Let's break it down.
00:25Alaska is a huge state. 663,268 square miles of rugged wilderness,
00:32glaciers, and some of the most mind-boggling geography in the US. You know what else is
00:37mind-boggling? Alaska is one of only two US states that isn't connected to the lower 48 by land.
00:43We're basically talking about a distant cousin of the US, sitting all the way up there,
00:46separated by a whole lot of space. But guess who plays a huge role in making sure Alaska
00:51is still somewhat part of the US? Yep, Canada. Alaska's only land access to the rest of the US
00:57runs through the Great White North. So to get from Alaska to the continental US,
01:01you have to go through Canada, whether by road, rail, or sea. Air travel is the only exception,
01:05but even that's tricky. While it's possible to fly directly to Alaska from some US cities,
01:10most flights still need to cross Canadian airspace. So unless you're willing to take
01:14a very roundabout route, Canada's presence is hard to escape. This especially applies
01:19to land transport. Alaska shares a massive 1,538-mile border with Canada, stretching from
01:25the icy Arctic Ocean all the way down to the Pacific. You've got the Yukon Territory and
01:29British Columbia on the east side of Alaska. And the whole thing's one massive stretch of
01:33terrain that makes most people wonder why anyone would even want to live there. But hey,
01:37it's home to about 740,000 people, so they'd probably make it work.
01:41But seriously, let's talk about that border. It's no friendly, neat little line like most
01:45international borders. The thing's practically invisible in places, like on the summit of Mount
01:50St. Elias, towering 18,008 feet above sea level. In other places, it's more like a giant obstacle
01:55course. That's why the International Boundary Commission had to trek some of the most remote
01:59and unforgiving landscapes on the planet just to mark the border. In some areas, the commission
02:04cut through forests and mountains with metal cones, and in others, the boundary goes straight
02:08through the middle of the mountains, where no one in their right mind would want to build anything.
02:12Still, the boundary is there alright, marked and crucial to everything. The insanity of large
02:17portions of the Canada-Alaska border only underscores the importance of roads connecting
02:21Alaska to Canada, and thus, the US. Essentially, Canada's got the power to hold the US state
02:26hostage in a way that no one else can, and trust us, Canada is well aware of this.
02:30So what is Canada doing with its role as Alaska's gatekeeper? Well, it's coming for trucks trying
02:35to make their way from the US to Alaska first. Granted, it's not the entirety of Canada that's
02:39targeting Alaska in this way, it's mostly one province. It's British Columbia, the towering
02:44might of Canada's western realm. The province shares its northern border with Alaska, making
02:48it the key land link between the US state and the rest of Canada. Without British Columbia,
02:53the state of Alaska would essentially be an isolated entity with virtually no access to
02:57land-based transportation, and if the Premier of British Columbia, David Eby, gets his way,
03:02US truckers will get to experience the isolation first-hand. Namely, Eby is preparing to impose
03:07tolls on commercial trucks travelling through the province on their way to Alaska. Tolls are
03:11essentially fees charged for using certain roads, bridges, or tunnels, and they typically fund
03:16infrastructure or manage traffic. But in this case, they have a slightly different job, to limit US
03:21access to Alaska. If implemented, these fees would add significant costs to shipments heading north,
03:26making it more expensive and potentially less efficient to transport goods from the lower 48
03:31to Alaska. They're a direct response to Trump's tariffs, and Eby is making this clear. While the
03:36tolls might not come into effect immediately, they certainly serve as a warning shot. British
03:40Columbia is ready to make life harder for US truckers if the trade war continues to escalate.
03:44Canada won't just sit back and absorb the economic blow without pushing back.
03:48And it's not just about the money. This move could create a serious logistical headache.
03:52Alaska depends on this land route for most of its goods, and without it, the state would face
03:56crippling shortages. The goods being hit the hardest? Fresh produce and oil, according to
04:01Alaska State Senator Robert Myers. Myers himself is a trucker, so he knows what he's talking about.
04:06When asked about the tolls and their intended targets, he said,
04:09If you want to get something up here fast, you put it on a truck, not a barge.
04:13However, this still doesn't mean Canada is swarmed with trucks heading to Alaska all day long.
04:17In fact, the truck traffic headed to Alaska isn't nearly as intense as it is in the lower 48.
04:22According to the Alaska Trucking Association, 57.8% of manufactured tonnage is transported
04:27by trucks in Alaska, which is 13,170 tons per day. This lower number results from Alaska not
04:34functioning like most other states when it comes to transportation. The state is more dependent on
04:38air and water transport for moving goods, due to its remote nature and the difficulty of accessing
04:42it by land. What's more, the role of trucks in Alaska is more specialized. According to the
04:47National Highway System, Alaska's truck freight transportation mainly focuses on moving goods
04:52from seaports and airports to industrial sites and consumers, rather than hauling large volumes
04:57of goods over long distances like in the lower 48. This is a much smaller role, and Alaska only
05:02has 2,229 miles of designated roadways within the National Highway System, which is just 12.6%
05:08of its total public network, and not as much freight traffic passes through it as you would
05:12find in other states. This means that Canada's tolls would affect a crucial, but relatively
05:16small segment of traffic. That is, of course, if British Columbia manages to implement these tolls
05:21in the first place. To achieve this symbolic victory, British Columbia would have to navigate
05:25a tricky legal and logistical minefield. Let's tackle the legal aspect first. The proposed toll
05:30system faces a major legal challenge, an existing treaty between Canada and the U.S. specifically
05:35concerning the Alaska Highway. The Alaska Highway is a 1,387-mile stretch of road that serves as the
05:41primary land route between Alaska and the rest of the U.S. Built during World War II as a military
05:46route, it's now the main overland connection for residents, industries, and tourists alike.
05:50The highway stretches through some of the most remote, rugged landscapes in North America,
05:54with weather and road conditions that make it feel more like a survival challenge than a scenic
05:58drive. But we'll explore this highway in more detail later. For now, let's get back to why
06:02its toll system would be a legal headache. You see, under the treaty we just mentioned,
06:06Canada is explicitly prohibited from imposing tolls on any portion of the highway system
06:11used for the transport of goods between the U.S. and Alaska. Article 2 of this treaty states,
06:16Canada will not impose any highway toll or permit any such toll to be charged for the
06:20use of such highways by vehicles or persons. It doesn't get any clearer than that. Plus,
06:24this includes not just imposing fees directly, but also any indirect charges, effectively blocking
06:29tolls on the highway used for the transportation of goods. The treaty aims to facilitate smooth
06:34and uninterrupted transport along this critical route, which, as mentioned, serves as the sole
06:38land link between Alaska and the rest of the U.S. The 1977 agreement also ensures that the U.S. and
06:44Canada will jointly maintain the Alaska Highway, with the U.S. funding reconstruction and Canada
06:48overseeing its upkeep. Adding tolls would not only violate these terms, but would also risk
06:52complicating the collaborative infrastructure maintenance outlined in the agreement.
06:56The legal precedent set by this treaty means that EB's proposed tolls could violate international
07:01agreements, forcing British Columbia to face a diplomatic and legal battle. But given how
07:05determined British Columbia seems to be to fight back, it wouldn't be shocking if its Premier found
07:10some sneaky loophole to wiggle through. After all, EB is a man on a mission, one that won't
07:14be deterred by anything, not a pesky treaty, and not logistical challenges.
07:18As far as these logistical, or should we say technical, challenges go, British Columbia's
07:22plans could hit a few bumps in the road. For starters, the province doesn't currently have
07:27any toll stations along its highways leading to Alaska. This fact probably has something to do
07:31with the treaty we keep mentioning. But even if legal barriers were somehow sidestepped,
07:35the technical side of things isn't as simple as it sounds. As Ranj Pillai, the Premier of Yukon,
07:40another province considering tolls, points out,
07:42Implementing tolls would require significant new infrastructure. Think toll booths,
07:47staff to operate them, and likely a brand new set of regulations to get everything up and running.
07:51We've got to look at what our actions are and what legal tools we have to make those decisions,"
07:55said Pillai, sounding a bit like someone who's about to open a can of worms.
07:58It's one thing to talk tough. It's another to actually build the system to back it up.
08:02Myers, however, doesn't seem to agree with Pillai. Although he isn't in favour of tolls for his
08:07state, he doesn't consider tolling rocket science in this case. After all, trucks already have to
08:11stop at weigh stations for safety checks, so adding toll booths wouldn't be a massive leap.
08:15But Myers isn't the only one who isn't fond of these tolls. Jamie Benson,
08:19the Executive Director of the Alaska Trucking Association, has also voiced strong concerns.
08:24She said the proposal will significantly increase transportation costs, disrupt supply chains,
08:28and raise prices for essential goods that Alaskans rely on. Benson urged provincial
08:33policymakers to remember the great relationship between Alaska and British Columbia, hoping the
08:37federal governments could find a way to avoid tariffs. Seems like the pressure's building on
08:41all sides. But you know who doesn't care about this pressure? The people of Canada.
08:46Take the folks in Yukon as an example. They're not just sitting back and hoping this all blows over.
08:50No, they're getting creative with their retaliation. Pillai has heard from residents
08:54who are practically pitching an action plan, including ideas like banning Alaska athletes
08:58from the upcoming Arctic Winter Games. And if you think that's bold, some Yukoners are
09:02even suggesting they put a ban on none other than Donald Trump himself. Yep, you heard that right.
09:07The man known for big-game hunts in the territory might find himself on the
09:10do-not-enter list. And he will surely have to earn his way back.
09:14These unconventional ideas paint a pretty clear picture. Canada won't back down.
09:19Even though Trump has eased off some of his initial tariff threats,
09:22EB has been firm. We will not tolerate these ongoing threats and uncertainty.
09:25We're standing up for Canadians. The toll proposal, though mostly symbolic for now,
09:30speaks volumes. The number of trucks affected might be small, but the message behind it is
09:34loud and clear. Canada's frustrated and ready to stand its ground. This piling frustration
09:39makes us wonder, how far could Canada go? Could it cut off Alaska completely? Let's hypothesize a
09:44little. If Canada wanted to cut off Alaska from the rest of the US, it would need to disrupt
09:48key transportation and supply routes. Here's how that could be done, in theory.
09:53First up, blocking land access. With the tolls we discussed,
09:56Canada is already making moves in this department. But a true blockade would mean
10:00something much more drastic. Closing down the Alaska Highway. Cutting off the only
10:04major overland connection between Alaska and the lower 48 states. As mentioned,
10:08this highway is a lifeline for everything from fuel to food to industry in Alaska.
10:12So you can imagine the chaos if Canada decided to pull the plug on it. After all,
10:17Alaska is already struggling with accessibility. Some parts of the biggest US state, like the town
10:22of Hyder, depend entirely on Canadian infrastructure. You can't drive into Hyder unless
10:26you go through Stewart, British Columbia, or hop on a float plane. Block that road and you've
10:30isolated entire communities. Throw in the fact that parts of Alaska are only reachable by road
10:35through Canada. Haines and Skagway come to mind. And you can see how shutting down the highway
10:39would disrupt the entire region. But let's be real, could Canada actually pull this off?
10:44Technically, yes. Almost 80% of the Alaska Highway lies on Canadian soil,
10:48which gives the country significant leverage. But a blockade would mean shutting down a road
10:52that's responsible for nearly all the goods and services that move into and out of Alaska by land,
10:57which wouldn't be without consequences. The economic fallout would be immense,
11:01and it's not just Alaska that would suffer. Businesses across Canada would see disruptions
11:05too. But remember, Canada is tired of the ongoing tariff threats. The idea of closing
11:10off Alaska's primary road access might seem extreme, but as tensions rise, who knows?
11:14The way things are headed, the Alaska Highway might just become the world's
11:18most dramatic game of chicken. Now, if Canada really wanted to crank up the pressure,
11:22blocking marine access could be a game changer. Alaska's Inside Passage stretches 500 miles along
11:27the Pacific Ocean and boasts wildlife-filled fjords, tidewater glaciers, and lush island
11:33scenery. It's a coastal beauty, yes. But more importantly, it's a crucial route for Alaska,
11:37and more than 90% of Alaska-bound cargo is shipped by ocean. If Canada wanted to make
11:42things difficult, shutting this route down would send shockwaves through Alaskan logistics.
11:46After all, this is the route freighters, fishing boats, and passenger ferries take
11:49through Canadian waters to avoid harsher conditions of the open ocean. So blocking
11:54the Inside Passage means forcing vessels to take the open ocean route, a longer,
11:58rougher, and far less efficient path. Not exactly the cruise ship captain's dream.
12:02Speaking of cruises, Alaska's thriving cruise industry depends on these Canadian waters. In
12:072023 alone, a record 1.65 million cruise passengers used this route to visit southeast
12:13Alaska. If Canada cuts it off, not only does Alaska face a tourism crisis, but the ripple effect on
12:18the cruise industry would be catastrophic. We're talking cancelled trips, lost revenue,
12:23and angry passengers left stranded in Canadian ports. Then there's the Prince Rupert Ferry
12:28Terminal, which serves as a critical transit hub for Alaskans heading south. If Canada decides to
12:32close it, they're essentially slamming the door on Alaska's travel connections to the lower 48.
12:37That's not to mention the fact that this terminal is the world's first marine pre-clearance location,
12:42meaning U.S. Customs handles inspections in Canada. But would Canada take such drastic steps?
12:46Again, it's not beyond the realm of possibility. Blocking marine access would shake Alaska,
12:51and the U.S., to its core, and the consequences will be felt far beyond the waters.
12:55Canada's playing the long game, and with the Inside Passage and Prince Rupert Terminal in
12:59its hands, it has the cards to make a major impact. But when we shift to air travel,
13:03the stakes drop a little. Sure, Alaska's air traffic is crucial, but Canada's influence
13:07in the skies is more about subtle inconvenience than full-on chaos. Here's the deal. U.S.
13:12commercial and military flights between Alaska and the lower 48 often pass through Canadian airspace.
13:17Now, if Canada decided to deny these overflight rights, it would force planes to take a longer,
13:21costlier route, either over the Pacific or the Arctic. It's a hassle, for sure,
13:25but it's not the kind of knockout punch other blockade methods would deliver.
13:29At most, we're talking higher fuel costs, more logistical complexity,
13:32and maybe a few more angry passengers, but the effect is relatively minor in the grand
13:36scheme of things. Alaska's air infrastructure could still function, just with a few detours
13:40thrown in. That said, air traffic does rely heavily on coordination with Canadian air
13:45traffic control. The smooth operation between U.S. and Canadian aviation authorities keeps
13:50flights flowing efficiently. If Canada threw a wrench in that system, you'd see delays,
13:54sure, but nothing catastrophic. The real disruption would come in the form of
13:58emergency diversions. Aircraft flying to or from Alaska that might need to land in Canada in case
14:03of an in-flight emergency. And that's where cooperation matters. But even then, it's all
14:07temporary setbacks. What isn't a temporary setback, however, is Canada's grip on Alaska's
14:12trade and commerce. This is where the real havoc could be wreaked. Much of Alaska's fuel,
14:17food, and consumer goods come through Canada. So imagine Canada slapping heavy tariffs,
14:22closing border crossings, or banning specific trade routes. It's not just an inconvenience,
14:26it's an economic disaster. Alaska would face shortages of everything from fuel to construction
14:31materials, and those costs would skyrocket in no time. Canada holds a pretty solid position here,
14:36thanks to its control over rail and freight services. There's no direct railway linking
14:40Alaska to the lower 48, so goods are constantly shipped through Canadian rails. The port of
14:45Vancouver is a critical hub, handling a massive portion of shipments to and from Alaska. From
14:49food to fuel, everything moves through Canadian ports and railways before reaching its destination.
14:55Take that away, and Alaska's logistical system would simply collapse. But this isn't a one-way
14:59street. Every year, over $1 billion in trade flows between Alaska and Canada. Alaska exports
15:05about $596 million to Canada, while importing $753 million worth of goods. This means that
15:11Canada's economy would suffer, too. Although the country is already making moves to reduce
15:16its dependence on the US across the board, this kind of economic disruption would still sting,
15:20and that's putting it lightly. This wouldn't be the true cost of an Alaska blockade.
15:24The true cost is about the people, the families, and the small towns that rely on seamless,
15:28cross-border exchange for their very survival. According to recent statistics, trade with
15:33Canada supports over 20,000 jobs in Alaska alone, and that's on top of the 4,350 employees in
15:39Canadian-owned businesses across Alaska. These aren't just numbers on a page. They're families
15:44relying on that paycheck to put food on the table and pay their bills, take away the trade,
15:48and their livelihoods are at risk. As one local leader put it,
15:51I don't see how the common person gets anything out of it. I think only the citizens bear the
15:55brunt of this cost. With this in mind, do you think Canada would ever go through a full blockade
15:59of Alaska? How much pressure would it need to face before taking such drastic measures? And
16:03what do you think the US response would be, both to the proposed tolls and a more drastic blockade?
16:09Share your thoughts in the comments section below.