Leaders need to keep ‘eye on the ball’ in respect to U.S. trade talks: Moe

Sask. Premier Scott Moe met with the prime minister and provincial leaders in Ottawa to discuss trade, economy, energy, and infrastructure.

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe says cool heads and clear strategies must prevail amid the atmosphere of chaos concerning Canada’s relationship with its southern neighbour.

Moe spoke to reporters as provincial leaders gather in Ottawa for a First Minister’s meeting.

“We need to, as leaders, keep our eye on the ball with respect to what we actually want to achieve in any of the negotiations that we have with the United States of America, as they are likely still going to be our largest trading partner, despite the daily challenges and weekly challenges that we have,” Moe said on Wednesday.

While a somewhat normalized trading relationship with the U.S. is desperately needed for his home province, Moe also agreed with the prime minister’s recent calls stressing trade diversification.

“We need to be very much present in countries around the world so that we are able to truly diversify,” he said. “… We saw that with the most recent agreement that we came in the restoration of trade with China. I think we’ll see some future opportunities in places like India as well.”

Saskatchewan’s premier did accompany Carney on a portion of the prime minister’s recent trip to China, which concluded with a deal that reduced tariffs on Canadian imports, including canola and other agricultural products.

Carney’s use of the term “new world order” during discussions with the Chinese was noted by some, including Moe.

‘Not a statement I would use’: Scott Moe says of Carney ‘new world order’ comment in China

Furthermore, the premier had some thoughts on Carney’s speech at the World Economic Forum at Davos, where the prime minister called on “middle powers” like Canada and corporations to stop believing the old norms that preceded the U.S. tariff regime will return and to adapt to an everchanging future.

Moe said he believes that allowing more supports for investment and the expansion of industry as well as a route to trade normalization with the U.S. is the way forward.

“I think Canada does have a great opportunity to be a leader economically in that middle power space and if we are going to determine our destiny and become that leader in that middle power space, it is going to take us making those tough decisions,” he explained.

“Having those discussions like we’ll have today on how we are going to allow that investment to flow, allow those industries that are creating wealth to expand, so that we can sell more around the world and so I think we have a great opportunity to be an economic leader in that middle power space.”