The damsels who work at Beau Chapeau, on chichi Queen Street, took some time from stroking Cody to comment on the customers of late.

“So many Americans. It’s really remarkable.”

Yup. Even in the late dregs of winter when snow was up the wazoo, they were streaming into town.

Are we getting a glimpse of the traffic that will materialize all summer when one greenback is worth a loonie and a half? Or are these people just escaping from America — at least for a day or two?

We’re part of the Border Alliance now, a string of dozens of cities and towns that lie within miles, feet or (in our case) a decent swim from the USA.

As we all know, the American president has been getting more aggressive, strident and demanding. When he and his attack dog VP shellacked the Ukrainian president last Friday it was evident this White House is scary. Unpredictable.

Watching that was like going live to Dec. 10, 1813. That’s the day the Yanks torched NOTL, including the house I currently live in. It’s been more than 200 years since a U.S. president got the munchies for more territory — and here we are with Trump talking constantly about the 51st state, “Governor” Trudeau and the fact Canada “is not a viable country.”

This time we don’t need to worry about muskets, frigates and pyrotechnic troops. Now it’s tariffs, economic coercion and how we deal with our former bestie across the river when he goes rogue.

The town recently hired an economic development czar (Ashleigh Myers) because, according to our Lordly Mayor, the issue of jobs “is becoming more important with the threat of tariffs.”

Indeed. It looks like 700 of them could be wiped off the payrolls of at least 80 local businesses which will be whacked. Across the region, more, since 70 per cent of Niagara exports go south. Needless. Punitive. Illogical.

The American administration thinks a vast revenue stream can come from tariffing imports to finance domestic tax cuts. “You wanna trade with us?” says Trump. “Then pay up.”

What happens now?

“On both sides of the border this is going to mean people losing their jobs,” says Kathy Weiss, head of the local Chamber of Commerce. “So, discretionary spending is going to drop, while Canadians are also boycotting American goods. It’s a dangerous combination.”

It sure is. Niagara has a big investment in grapes, cars and tourists. All three sectors stand to be pummelled by tariffs of any kind. The region’s working group now says 30,000 people overall could lose their jobs if the rogue American president doesn’t cry wolf once again.

Meanwhile uncertainty is the enemy of investment, which may be why Linamar’s shiny new auto-parts plant in Welland is up for sale.

How should we respond? Especially to average Yanks on their way here for a carriage ride, a gelato and an overdose of quaintness?

“Our messaging needs to be telling Americans they are loved and welcome,” says Weiss. “I see on social media that regular people are fighting against each other and that is such a sad state of affairs.”

So, the chamber is going on the offensive. A new media campaign will come, in mainstream and social media, radio and TV, targeting close markets — like Ohio, Pennsylvania and Buffalo.

Is this a pivotal moment?

“The whole world is in a pivotal moment. It could be a dangerous time. Absolutely,” she says. “We are not sure where things are going. You know, the 51st state talk. I am hoping that does not happen. But we have no control over things, and none of us want it to happen.”

It won’t.

Garth Turner is a NOTL resident, journalist, author, wealth manager and former federal MP and minister. garth@garth.ca