Dhaka, March 19 -- Business owners from both sides of the U.S.-Canada border gathered in Vermont on Tuesday to discuss the effects of President Donald Trump's tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum, which have disrupted industries and strained economic ties.

Trump's repeated remarks suggesting Canada should become the 51st U.S. state have fueled anger among Canadians, leading to a boycott of American products.

"This situation in Canada is unprecedented. The threat extends beyond just tariffs," said Marie-Claude Bibeau, a Canadian Member of Parliament representing Compton-Stanstead. "It's an attack on our sovereignty, and that makes me emotional."

The roundtable discussion included representatives from breweries, a maple syrup producer,...