Provincial leaders united in face of Trump tariffs

Canadian federal and provincial governments are presenting a united front to make sure threatened U.S. tariffs don’t go forward, according to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

The tariffs, proposed by U.S. President-elect Trump have left many in Canadian agriculture worried and uncertain about the economic fallout.

Trudeau said Wednesday that “everything’s on the table” when it comes to Canada’s response to the tariffs following the First Ministers’ meeting in Ottawa. He said this could include a dollar-for-dollar response.

Trudeau also said he believed there is precedent for Canada presenting a united effort when facing trade challenges.

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“The experience Canada had in renegotiating NAFTA in the first Trump administration demonstrated that when we stand together united, promoting Canada’s interests, we can do very well,” the Prime Minister said.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford said Canada will need to have a strong response ready in the days following Trump’s inauguration.

“Things are going to change in a week when the inauguration happens of President Trump, and if he moves forward with these tariffs,” Ford said.

“The retaliatory tariffs need to be harder. We have to send a message when someone comes up and tries to destroy our economy, it will be devastating for Canadians, and that’s why it’s so important.”

“We’ve been through this before,” said Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe, “maybe not as large and broad as what is being talked about now, but we have been through this before.”

Moe said it will be important for all North Americans to recognize the threats tariffs pose to food security in both Canada and the U.S. “That value is added on both sides of the border. And we need to double down on our efforts in engaging on those fronts.”

Not in attendance at the First Ministers’ meeting was Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, who said in a statement on social media she would not support the federal government’s tariff plan.

“Alberta will simply not agree to export tariffs on our energy or other products, nor do we support a ban on exports of these same products,” Smith said via the post. “We will take whatever actions are needed to protect the livelihoods of Albertans from such destructive federal policies.”