Full Breakdown
U.S. Customs Halts Supply Truck to Canada’s Campobello Island Amid Trump Import Ban
By Drooid · · How we work
Blockade of a Vital Supply Route
U.S. Customs and Border Protection turned back a New Brunswick-registered truck at the St. Stephen–Calais crossing, preventing it from delivering groceries, milk and liquor to Campobello Island, a Canadian community of roughly 950 residents that is reachable by road only through Maine. The sealed truck, which normally makes daily mail runs and weekly food deliveries, was rerouted onto two ferries—one of which operates seasonally and is slated to cease service after Thanksgiving.
Background to the Ban
The action follows President Donald Trump’s newly enacted import ban, which took effect early Tuesday and targets select Canadian products, including alcoholic beverages, motorcycles, molasses and whey. The ban, part of a trade dispute that began in early 2025, has already disrupted shipments of milk, liquor and other groceries to the island, according to Mayor Harvey Matthews.
Official Responses
Mayor Matthews said he remains “friendly and positive” toward the United States and is puzzled by the restrictions on a truck bearing a customs seal that delivers goods solely to Canadians. New Brunswick Conservative MP John Williamson, whose riding includes Campobello, said he is contacting Global Affairs Canada and U.S. A spokesperson for the U.S. embassy in Ottawa indicated that the matter is under review.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It’s pretty stupid for two countries that are supposed to be neighbours to be fighting over this foolish stuff,” — Mr. Matthews
- “This is not how two neighbours and friends should treat one another,” — Mr. Williamson
