Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe and NDP Leader Carla Beck are responding to United States’ President Donald Trump reiteration he would impose 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian exports beginning Feb. 1.
“This scenario we find ourselves is concerning and challenging,” Moe told reporters Friday. “Each and every one of us across this nation should be doing our best to encourage our policy makers to address the concerns raised by President Trump.”
“Lets start here,” Beck said. “There is no doubt about this – [the tariffs] will be devastating, not only to this province, but right across this country.”
During a press conference Friday afternoon, Trump was asked if there’s “anything” Canada, China or Mexico could do to forestall the tariffs. The president left little up for interpretation.
“No, nothing. Not right now. No.”
He was later asked if he was looking for a “concession” from the three countries. Trump responded that he was not. “We’ll just see what happens.”
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt repeated Washington’s reasons for the tariffs – in line with the language top-level politicians have touted for weeks as the two countries march towards what could become a trade war.
“The president will be implementing tomorrow a 25 per cent tariff on Mexico, 25 per cent tariffs on Canada, and a 10 per cent tariff on China for the illegal fentanyl that they have sourced and allowed to distribute into our country, which has killed tens of millions of Americans,” she said.
“Thus, the points of agreements that I would have – and I think many Canadians would share – with President Trump is let’s do what we can to remove fentanyl from crossing the 49th parallel on both sides,” Moe responded. “It’s not a drug. It’s a poison. And it’s killing our family, friends and community members across this nation.”
In two weeks, the Saskatchewan Premier has a trip to D.C. planned as part of a joint mission with Ontario Premier Doug Ford, and New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs.
On Friday, Moe reiterated the need for all levels of government to work together against Trump’s threat.
“We’re doing what we can do to buffer the impacts of tariffs when they come on,” he said. “But also ensuring we’re doing the very best to have those tariffs removed sooner rather than later.”
Beck underscored the need for American policy makers to highlight the impacts tariffs may have south of the border.
“When you look at the cost of gas, of fertilizer, increased food costs, energy costs, the cost of building housing in the U.S., we need to make that case to American consumers, lawmakers and influencers in the U.S.,” she said.
Full details on what the tariffs will look like and on which products were not released by the White House Friday.
However, Trump did say a tariff of just 10 per cent would be implemented on Canadian crude oil.
