Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe is warning a 25 per cent tariff U.S. president-elect Donald Trump is threatening would harm Canada’s meals and power sectors and be “disastrous” for financial stability and safety on either side of the border.
“We have handled this previously, and we have to method it the identical approach now — working with the incoming Trump administration to handle their issues whereas guaranteeing that these tariffs, in the event that they do come, are short-lived,” Moe advised host David Cochrane in a Friday interview with CBC’s Energy and Politics.
Moe particularly dismissed the thought of retaliatory export tariffs, a countermeasure some have floated in response to U.S. tariff menace. He argued that such a transfer would hurt Canadian producers and create broader financial disruptions.
“I will be asking the prime minister for assurances that these export tariffs are simply merely not into consideration, nor ought to they be,” he mentioned.
Final month, Trump said he will impose a 25 per cent tariff on all merchandise coming into the U.S. from Canada and Mexico after he takes workplace in January, except these international locations stem the move of medicine and migrants throughout their borders.
WATCH | Sask. Premier Scott Moe speaks with Energy & Politics on Friday, Dec. 13:
Energy & Politics host David Cochrane asks Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe about his name for a federal election within the face of Donald Trump’s tariff menace and whether or not there’s unity among the many premiers.
Canada’s premiers took half in a digital assembly with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau earlier this week to debate the Canadian response to the calls for by the incoming U.S. administration.
Following that assembly, Ontario Premier Doug Ford mentioned his province could cut off energy supplies to the U.S. if Trump makes good on the tariff menace.
Saskatchewan is a serious exporter of agricultural merchandise, power and minerals, all of which might face vital disruption if retaliatory tariffs are imposed, Moe mentioned.
“Let’s scale back tariffs, not add them. Punishing Canadians working in these industries will not be what we’d be asking for,” he mentioned.
“This is not nearly financial development. It is about sustaining relationships with our largest buying and selling associate and guaranteeing international stability. The improper strikes right here might have penalties that final for years.”
Retaliation would harm producers, customers: economist
Joel Bruneau, an economist on the College of Saskatchewan, echoed Moe’s issues, saying tariffs on Canadian exports like potash, oil or agricultural merchandise would disproportionately hurt Saskatchewan’s financial system.
“Export tariffs wouldn’t simply harm producers however would result in greater prices for customers in each Canada and the US,” Bruneau mentioned. “Retaliatory measures escalate tensions and might entrench long-term inefficiencies within the international commerce system.”
Bruneau famous that Saskatchewan’s financial system is extremely depending on exports, significantly to the U.S., its largest buying and selling associate.
“Something that disrupts that commerce relationship, even briefly, dangers vital job losses and a drop in provincial revenues,” he mentioned.
Moe additionally emphasised the broader penalties of tariffs, framing them as a menace not simply to Canada, however to international meals and power safety.
“Broad-based tariff wars profit neither the Individuals nor the Canadians. They profit non-allied nations in different components of the world,” Moe mentioned, referring to international locations like China and Russia that would exploit weakened North American commerce ties.
Bruneau additionally mentioned any commerce disruptions would ripple by way of worldwide markets.
“If Saskatchewan’s agricultural exports are restricted, international meals costs might rise, affecting susceptible populations worldwide,” he mentioned. “Equally, restrictions on power exports might drive up prices for key allies.”
‘Time for a federal election’: Moe
Moe mentioned Canadian provinces want to point out a unified entrance.
“There may be a lot unity with respect to the efforts we have to safe our borders. All premiers are in settlement,” Moe mentioned, referring to leaders like Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew, each of whom have rolled out border safety plans following Trump’s menace.
Moe mentioned addressing U.S. issues about border safety might strengthen Canada’s negotiating place as soon as Trump takes workplace.
“If it is a concern for the incoming president, it is a concern for us,” he mentioned. “We must always take the chance to safe the borders on behalf of Canadians — not simply to fulfill U.S. issues, however to handle points like medicine and unlawful migration.”
Bruneau agreed that would present Canada with leverage in commerce discussions.
“A co-operative method to frame safety alerts goodwill and will assist diffuse commerce tensions,” he mentioned.
However Moe needs the federal authorities to handle the specter of U.S. tariffs, and advised Canada’s bargaining place could be stronger if an election was referred to as to present the authorities — whichever get together wins — a new mandate.
“Donald Trump has a robust mandate” following final month’s U.S. election, he mentioned. “We’ve no such mandate bargaining from a Canadian place, and I believe we must always.… So I believe it’s time for a federal election.”
However the precedence stays guaranteeing secure and open commerce with the U.S., Moe mentioned.
“This is not about Canada versus the U.S.,” he mentioned. “It is about working collectively to make sure meals, power and manufacturing safety for each nations, and for our allies all over the world.”
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