‘Kill jobs on both sides of the border’: Sask. premier analyzing possible impact of latest U.S. tariff threat

A Regina manufacturer is among the businesses bound to be affected by new U.S. tariffs. Wayne Mantyka explains.

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe is weighing in on recent tariff threats made by the USA.

Premier Moe took to Facebook, saying “the United States’ latest tariff threats against Canada are unjustified and will drive up prices and kill jobs on both sides of the border.”

Speaking at the Council of the Federation meeting in Charlottetown, Moe said the tariff threat isn’t new to Saskatchewan, as the province exports to 160 countries.

“This is a ninth or 10th round of tariffs that we have faced through either a social media post or an initiative by the president of the U.S. in the last 18 months,” he told reporters.

“That’s important for us to realize ... this is a pattern that repeatedly occurs from the American administration today.”

Moe’s remarks follow an announcement from the U.S. saying it will charge a 50 per cent tariff on some Canadian goods, including many that are covered under the countries’ free trade agreement.

The White House claims the move is in response to unfair Canadian trade practices, including many provinces implementing bans on U.S. booze, as well as supply management on dairy and certain tariffs and quotas on cars.

• Download the CTV News app to get breaking news alerts sent to your device

Moe says the province will take the time to analyze the impact of the new tariffs and continue to make the case that free and fair-trade benefits both Canadian and American businesses, jobs and families.

Despite the tariff threat, Moe emphasized the importance of the trade relationship between Canada and the U.S.

“I would say that regardless of who’s in the White House today, the trade relationship that we have with the United States of America is much larger than one gentleman,” he said.

Moe once again said counter-tariffs would only further weaken the North American economy.

Earlier this month, the U.S. declined to extend the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) until 2042.

As of now, the free trade agreement is set to last until 2036.

Moe says the ultimate goal should be reaching a renewed agreement that ensures North America’s economy is more competitive moving forward.

“The goal isn’t to win some sort of ... war of words on social media, or even to one-up when it comes to whatever the policy or the rhetoric of the day is,” Moe said.

“The goal here is actually for us to have that renewed, reviewed CUSMA agreement moving forward. That is a goal for Canadians and I would say that largely – when you set the administration aside – that is a goal for Americans as well."

In his social media post, Moe also noted that the tariffs do not take effect for 30 days, adding that the U.S. has backed away from their most severe tariff threats in the past.

“If these proposed tariffs do go ahead, Saskatchewan will be prepared to respond to keep our economy and our province strong and steady,” he wrote.

Canadian premiers will meet this week ahead of talks with Prime Minister Mark Carney, with the focus on protecting Canada’s economic relationship with the United States.