Sask. business leaders gather in Regina for forum as U.S. tariff threat nears

WATCH: The Western Canadian Economic Forum was held in Regina on Wednesday, with looming tariffs top of mind for most attendees. Wayne Mantyka explains.

Saskatchewan business leaders gathered for the Western Canada Economic Forum on Wednesday – where the threat of U.S. tariffs was certainly top of mind.

Some of those attending the forum have business on either side of the 49th parallel.

“We have manufacturing in North Dakota so we’re going to have to do what we have to do to meet that demand,” AGT Foods CEO Murad Al-Katib told CTV News.

“It’ll depend on the magnitude of the tariff. [If] the tariff is at that 25 per cent, it’s going to be much more impactful. It’s going to stop that flow of raw material from southern Saskatchewan to the U.S.”

Premier Scott Moe attended the forum as the keynote speaker – where he announced missions to Washington and Mexico.

“I say this often with respect to the new President in the United States: Don’t always take what President Trump says literally – but take it very seriously – because he isn’t kidding,” Moe said, addressing the forum.

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The day also saw Saskatchewan mount a special security blitz along the American border to help diminish President Donald Trump’s concerns about drugs and migrants crossing from Canada to the U.S.

“We’ll see what comes of that, I hope nothing. But if there is in any way drugs or migrants that are looking at crossing the border I think the message is: “Not in Saskatchewan,” Moe added.

• ‘De-escalate the conversation’: Moe shares Saskatchewan’s position on U.S. tariff threat

The federal government dispatched the parliamentary secretary for international trade to the forum.

“Our government stands ready to protect our workers, our businesses,” Maninder Sidhu told CTV News. “Today, Melanie Joly, our Foreign Affairs Minister is down in Washington talking to Secretary Marco Rubio.”

A degree of skepticism remains that President Trump will impose tariffs that could be equally damaging to the American economy.

However, the threat is being taken very seriously as Canada awaits Trump’s next move.